Families in Sullivan County, New York, who are unable to obtain conventional mortgages are eligible to apply for a brand new energy-efficient home built by the area’s Habitat for Humanity chapter. According to local news source the Times Herald-Record, the house is currently being designed by award-winning architects Buck Moorhead and Michael Chojnicki and will be one of the few passive residences in the Hudson Valley region. 

Peggy Richardson, vice chairwoman for Habitat’s board, told the source that the energy savings are expected to exceed construction costs by 10 percent and that the completed home will use 90 percent less energy than other properties in the area. 

The house will incorporate a number of sustainable elements including energy-efficient windows, layers of insulation and a heat-recovery ventilator which will take on the job of heating and cooling. The goal is to keep as much energy as possible inside the home, reports the source.Though underground utilities have already been installed, construction is on hold until the weather is warmer. 

Habitat for Humanity partners with communities to build and renovate decent, affordable housing for families. 

“Whether it’s individuals donating their labor and experience or small businesses, corporations and individual donors providing the money and materials needed to build a Habitat home, our projects work because our friends know that strong communities depend on good neighbors,” states the Sullivan County Habitat for Humanity website.

If you’re interested in making energy-efficient upgrades to your home, you’ll be happy to hear that the state of Maryland’s provides multiple rebate offerings, including those available from Pepco and Potomac Edison, which make the initial implementation more cost-effective.To get started, contact a home inspection contractor to perform an energy audit.