​Why Houston builders should join the High Efficiency Homes Program

The High Efficiency Homes Program is CenterPoint Energy’s incentivization program for energy-efficient new home builds in the CenterPoint distribution area. 

Designed to help builders, raters and other market actors advance home construction and promote energy efficiency in Greater Houston, the program delivers a large number of benefits to participants, on top of the many advantages reaped by the eventual homeowners. 

Below you’ll find some of those perks of joining and reasons why your residential construction company should get started with the program today.

Earn financial incentives

There are two main ways to get paid to participate in the High Efficiency Homes Program.

One method is to attain an above-code energy efficiency certification such as ENERGY STAR or DOE Zero Energy Ready. ​

The other is to install specified technologies at minimum efficiency levels, such as high-efficiency technology in HVAC systems and insulation, heat pump water heaters, ENERGY STAR-certified thermostats, ENERGY STAR EVSE chargers and more. 

The program is designed with multiple pathways towards incentives with opportunities for bonus measures. ​

There is an incentive available to HERS raters for each approved home, as well. ​

Get energy efficiency training for your sales and operations teams

CenterPoint is pleased to be able to offer guidance and training upon request for participating homebuilders, from both an operational and a marketing perspective. 

This can include consultations with industry leaders, plans reviews and performance consulting and corporate messaging support for marketing personnel. 

We can help your team broaden their understanding of energy-efficient elements such as:

• ENERGY STAR compliance
• air sealing
• insulation
• industry software such as DTE, REM/Rate, and Ekotrope

…and more.

Better satisfy demand

The demand for energy-efficient homes is expected to grow in the coming years, and in fact already there are reports of buyers desiring to purchase them but finding none available in their area. 

Savvy builders who are looking down the road at what consumer tastes will be tomorrow and beyond recognize that now is the time to position their companies to be able to provide those homes when paying customers come looking. 

Create happier customers

Because they’re built to higher standards, it should come as no surprise that ENERGY STAR-certified homes are known to achieve better customer satisfaction with fewer callbacks. 

This is important from a marketing perspective, as happy customers make for potential word-of-mouth brand evangelists for your business among their friends and relations. 

It’s critical from an economics standpoint, as well, as any time and energy you save dealing with complaints, fixes or even lawsuits equals a boost for your bottom line.

Benefit the environment

Odds are you probably live in or near the communities in which you build. With a high efficiency home, you’ll be providing a healthier home for a family to live in, thanks to better air quality and reduced exposure to chemicals and germs.

For example, homes with attached garages have been shown to have benzene–a volatile compound that can cause cancer–levels three times higher than those without attached garages. But the high-grade weatherstripping and thorough insulation of a high-efficiency home can keep those dangerous fumes from seeping into the house round-the-clock.

You’ll also be helping the environment for them and you, by reducing emissions created by building and powering the home, and by putting less strain on local infrastructure. 

Strengthen your reputation as a sustainability-minded company

A recent report entitled “Business of Sustainability Index” found two-thirds of U.S. consumers surveyed are willing to pay more for sustainable products versus less sustainable competitors. At the same time, however, 78% of those surveyed said they don’t know how to identify environmentally friendly companies, despite wanting to do business with them.

By becoming a High Efficiency Home builder, you’re simultaneously making your commitment to the environment known to the world and helping those homebuyers who want energy-efficient homes find you… 

Enjoy the exposure on the CenterPoint website

One way said homebuyers will be able to verify you’re an eco-conscious company is through our Find a Builder tool. 

Securing a place alongside many of the most respected names in residential construction signals to homebuyers that your company is a trusted establishment on the leading edge of home-building innovation. 

And as one of the largest utilities in the country, CenterPoint’s reputation can give your brand a boost by association, as well. 

Gain a competitive advantage

Whether you’re a smaller builder looking to gain a larger share of your local market, or you simply need a way to insulate yourself from any interest rate hike-related slowdowns in the housing market, becoming a High Efficiency Home builder is a way to differentiate your business from the rest. 

The promise of an energy-efficient home and the resulting benefits may be enough to nudge homebuyers from the pre-existing home market into the typically pricier new home market.  

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