2026-07-27 Comment response to the published Request for information

There is a modest additional upfront cost to building a more energy-efficient home. But science-based analysis from the Department of Energy, the national labs, and others have repeatedly shown that the investment more than pays for itself, saving homeowners more money per month right away (because savings from lower monthly energy bills surpass the additional monthly mortgage cost) and generating massive long-term savings. We certify all of our homes as DOE Efficient New Homes (ZERH) and regularly speak with our homeowners after living in their homes for a few months and get consistent feedback that utility bills are significantly less. While the cost to get this certification will take a few years to fully pay back, there are many of the construction methods that could be employed in any home's construction which have minimal cost impact but could reduce utility bills and pay for themselves within the first year of ownership. It is clear from all of our experience that building homes with more high performance standards is well worth the nominal investment. •The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s analysis of the 2024 IECC found in all climate zones that “beginning in year 1, there is a net positive cash flow per year to the customer for the 2024 IECC-compliant home when compared to the 2021 IECC-compliant home.” The average single-family homeowner would see $144 in net annual savings, with total net savings of nearly $3,000.