Builder News Zero-Energy Homes Keep Looking to Go Mainstream NAHB Somewhere there’s a long list of expectations and Despite price points that continue to deter many would-be buyers, nearly 6,200 housing units in the United States and Canada have been classified as zero-energy ready or better, according to a recent report released by the Net-Zero Energy Coalition (NZEC). NZEC defines “zero-energy ready” as a home that can supply at least 90% of the its annual energy demand. NAHB supports voluntary energy-efficiency guidelines that exceed mandatory requirements if they can be shown to enhance the home’s value and repay initial costs through savings in net operating costs over a reasonable period of time. The second-most concentrated region of zeroenergy ready homes is in the Northeast — an area not exactly well known for its sunshine, but booming with interest in renewable energy. Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York together tallied 783 zero-energy-ready (or better) units. Achieving true net-zero status is still a major feat, as evidenced by the figures in NZEC’s report. Of all the residential units inventoried, just 528 of them (9%) were deemed zero-energy units (those that supply 100-109% of the home’s annual energy demand). Four percent of the units were classified as “net producers” capable of supplying 110% or more of the home’s energy demand. A snap shot of the data is also available in this inventory infographic. NAHB recognizes that energy efficiency is in the best interest of the nation’s economy, environment, security and energy independence. It continues to work with government at all levels and with private industries to remove regulatory and institutional barriers to such innovation. Drones Take Flight in Record Numbers NAHB While many retailers remain focused on the novelty of someday using drones to deliver packages, thousands of leaders in other industries have found much more practical and less gimmicky ways to benefit from these unmanned aerial vehicles. An aerial view of a A drone’s-eye-view of a home built by RMB Building & Design, courtesy of photographer Jeff Wenzel. Legally flying a drone for commercial purposes — even if not charging a fee for the service — requires what is known as a Section 333 Exemption from the FAA. At the start of 2015, only seven such exemptions had been authorized. But less than a year later, NAHBNow reported that the number had quickly grown to about 2,100. 16 | HBRA of Fairfield County | April 2016 Within the last four months, that number of authorized, commercial drone operators has skyrocketed to more than 4,500. And the number keeps rising almost every day. In fact, the FAA has been so inundated with requests, that it posted an advisory on its website to notify applicants of potential processing delays “due to the high volume of Section 333 petitions received…” The intent — or as the FAA puts it, “mission” — of these drone operators ranges from wildlife surveys, to search-and-rescue training, to closed-set filming for commercials and movies. But the most common missions listed include photography and videography of construction sites, real estate and infrastructure designs. Almost half (46%) of the buildings that made NZEC’s list are located in California, where sunny skies and statewide zero-energy initiatives are key drivers to big market growth.
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