LifeStyle Homes has accepted the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) challenge to construct a Zero-Energy Ready Home! This home—which will be built in LifeStyle’s Pineda Springs community—represents a whole new level of high-performance home building not yet witnessed on the Space Coast.

Because LifeStyle will be the first builder in Brevard County to build such a home, you may not be familiar with the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program.

So, just what is it?

Well, you may recall that in 2009 LifeStyle Homes became the first builder in Brevard County, and the 41^st builder in the nation, to meet the stringent requirements for energy-efficient home building set forth by the DOE Builders Challenge program. The Zero-Energy Ready Home program is the DOE’s next iteration of the Builders Challenge program.

Homes built in accordance to the DOE Zero-Energy Ready Home program raise the bar to outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability. LifeStyle Homes is proud to soon join the ranks of some of the nation’s leading builders who have also risen to this challenge.

According the DOE, a Zero Energy Ready Home is “a high-performance home which is so energy efficient, that a renewable energy system can offset all or most of its annual energy consumption.” As you may be aware, LifeStyle Homes has built over 30 solar-powered homes in Central Florida, 20 of which are zero-energy homes. While LifeStyle’s zero-energy homes meet the ultimate goal of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program, the program aims to improve the total efficiency, durability, and comfort of the home before the solar system is installed.

The LifeStyle team will be working closely with our building science partners at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to ensure we meet the tough requirements needed to earn our DOE Zero-Energy Ready Home label. We will continue to update our blog with information and progress on this home as we move throughout the construction process of this very special home.

In the meantime, we are proud to announce to you our commitment to building a Zero-Energy Ready Home! Challenge accepted!