Homebuyers are becoming more aware of environmental risks and are looking for homes that can keep them safe and comfortable during the unexpected. They want to feel confident that their home will handle harsh conditions and perform well during power outages, wildfires, ice storms and heat waves. Resilient homes improve occupants’ quality of life and, in some cases, even lower insurance costs. Resilient homes can also give builders a competitive edge.
Key strategies for building resilient homes
A resilient home starts as an efficient EPSTM home and evolves by selecting a combination of resiliency strategies. For Oregon builders, this often begins with fire hardening—but resiliency expands beyond fire protection. Below are a few strategies that can help homes withstand environmental catastrophes:
- Fire hardening: This doesn’t make the home fireproof but significantly reduces the risk of fire damage. Fire hardening includes designing with defensible space in mind, using ignition-resistant materials and implementing venting strategies that reduce the risk of fire entering the home.
- Solar + storage: Power outages are common during peak weather seasons—especially in rural areas. Building a home with solar and battery storage allows occupants to keep the lights on, refrigeration running and essential devices powered. An EPS home with a lower energy load and solar + storage installed can also reduce energy usage during peak grid load periods, lowering operating costs for homeowners.
- Water and resource independence: Implementing features like greywater systems, storm water management strategies and even fire-resistant gardens can add another layer of safety and freedom for residents.
Plan ahead: Contact an EPS verifier
Interested in building a resilient and efficient home? Contact your EPS verifier to see how you can increase building resiliency while receiving incentives.
Our trade ally coordinator is also available via email at eps@energytrust.org or phone at 1.877.283.0698 for any questions about the EPS New Homes program.