The U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home program introduced the Housing Innovation Awards in 2013 to provide national recognition to industry leaders in the Zero Energy Ready Home program. Since 2013, the program has grown to now have over 6,000 certified homes and has doubled in certifications in four out of the last five years. This includes over 1,500 homes certified the first six months of 2020, putting the program on track to double once more. This growth trend supports what we have believed since we started this program. That Zero Energy Ready Homes are the future of the home building industry. Americans want a better living experience in their homes and builders across the country are starting to realize that this program offers that experience.

None of this growth would be possible without the leadership and commitment from our builder partners. Just constructing a Zero Energy Ready Home puts them in the top 1% of builders in the country. That's why each year we hold the Housing Innovation Awards, to recognize those who are leading the housing industry to Zero. These builders are competing against the best of the best, across several different categories, to earn the distinction of a DOE Housing Innovation Award winner.

And it's not just about energy efficiency or who can build the biggest house and attach the most PV panels. The award categories are proof that Zero Energy Ready Homes can come in all shapes and sizes and can compete in price with market rate homes. The applications are reviewed by an esteemed panel of judges made up of industry leaders from around the building industry who consider design, marketing solutions, and cost-effectiveness beyond energy efficiency. (You can see view the full list of judging criteria here.)

The 2020 Housing Innovation Awards ceremony will be held this year as part of the EEBA Virtual High-Performance Home Summit. One Grand Winner will be announced in each category, from the list of winners below, as well as a Grand Award for the Most Homes Certified. This will be followed by a panel discussion with the Grand Award Winners to explore insights how they are best preparing for an uncertain future. Without further ado, the 2020 Housing Innovation Award winners are.....

Winners in Affordable Homes (Single Family Detached)
Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County (FL)
Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity (CT)
Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity (MA)

Winners in Affordable Homes (Multifamily)
Housing Authority of San Buenaventura (CA)
Mutual Housing California (CA)
United Way of Long Island (NY)

Winners in Attached Homes
Alter Eco (PA)
Brightleaf Homes (IL)
Thrive Home Builders (CO)

Winners in Custom Homes for Buyer (> 3000 Square Feet)
BPC Green Builders (CT)
Charis Homes (OH)
Mantell-Hecathorn Builders (CO)
S.D. Jessup Construction (NC)
Sustainable 9 Design + Build (MN)
Zero Net Now (NY)

Winners in Custom Homes for Buyer (< 3000 Square Feet)
Bellingham Bay Builders (WA)
Ferrier Custom Homes (TX)
Leading Force (WA)
P3 Builder Group (NY)
TC Legend Homes (WA)

Winners in Custom Homes on Spec
Amaris Homes (MN)
C&B Custom Homes (AZ)
Dwell Development (WA)
Green Phoenix Development (MA)
Tim O’Brien Homes (WI)

Winners in Production Homes
Garbett Homes (UT)
Healthy Communities (VA)
Insight Homes (DE)
Mandalay Homes (AZ)