Energize Connecticut partners Eversource, The United Illuminating Co., Southern Connecticut Gas, and Connecticut Natural Gas are accepting entries for the seventh annual Connecticut Zero Energy Challenge (ZEC), a statewide design/build competition for single- and multifamily homes.
Participating homes can take advantage of financial incentives offered by Energize Connecticut, and will have access to technical assistance from a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) professional and the utilities.
Completed homes are assigned an energy-efficiency performance score through the use of the HERS index. The home”™s HERS index, along with factors such as cost effectiveness in the construction process and the home”™s demonstrated thermal envelope efficiency, are utilized to determine the winners.
Participants will be eligible for prizes in the following categories: overall winner; lowest overall HERS Index; lowest HERS Index before renewable technologies; most affordable cost to build; and best overall thermal envelope.
Deadline for submissions is August 1, and must include a project summary, description of the project team and an initial REM/rate energy modeling file from a Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) accredited HERS professional. Final documentation for competing homes must be submitted by Dec. 31, and final construction must be completed no later than Jan. 31, 2017.
For more information about the 2016 ZEC and to see a list of official qualifications and requirements, visit ctzeroenergychallenge.com.
