Habitat for Humanity building 5,000 energy-efficient homes

Habitat for Humanity International and the Home Depot Foundation are teaming up to build 5,000 energy-efficient homes over the next five years proving that energy efficiency is attainable and necessary for everyone.  The $30 million Partners in Sustainable Building program will issue grants to Habitat affiliates for homes built following Energy Star, LEED or other nationally recognized green building guidelines.

In 2009 and 2010, 1,500 sustainable homes will be built by 120 Habitat affiliates in 45 states.  The program will grant $3,000 per home built to Energy Star standards and $5,000 per home built to a higher standard, like LEED.

Features like efficient water heaters, programmable thermostats, low-flow toilets and shower heads, weather stripping, and better insulation are making a huge difference in the homes' energy use.  In a pilot program last year where 260 homes were built, the sustainable features led to energy savings of 15 to 30 percent.  For those that were built to LEED Platinum standards, energy savings have hit 50 percent.

The partnership is also granting money to establish training programs for greener building practices for 440 affiliates.

via Habitat for Humanity