DOE Challenge Home
Since 2008, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Builders Challenge program has recognized hundreds of leading builders for their achievements in energy efficiency—resulting in over 13,000 energy efficient homes and millions of dollars in energy savings. The DOE Challenge Home — an ambitious successor to the Builders Challenge program — represents a whole new level of home performance, with rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health, and durability.
What Makes a Challenge Home
The DOE Challenge Home label is the symbol of excellence for new homes.
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Exclusive. DOE Challenge Home requirements are so rigorous, homebuyers can feel great knowing they chose a home offered only by a select group of leading edge builders.
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Tech-Savvy. Starting with comprehensive building science requirements from ENERGY STAR® for Homes, all DOE Challenge Homes include the most effective and proven innovations developed under Building America's world-class research program.
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Advanced. All DOE Challenge Homes are constructed to meet forthcoming code requirements to lock in future value. It's great peace-of-mind knowing the largest investment of a lifetime won't be obsolete in a few years.
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Ultra-Efficient. Many experts forecast it won't be long before homebuyers insist on new homes with minimal or possibly no utility bills. There's no reason to wait with DOE Challenge Homes that are so efficient small solar systems can often offset most, or all, of the annual energy consumption.
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Better Air Quality. All DOE Challenge Homes incorporate best practices to deliver a healthy indoor environment that minimizes dangerous chemicals, provides continuous fresh air, and effectively filters out particles associated with respiratory problems. Builders are required to substantially comply with comprehensive measures specified in EPA's Indoor airPlus program.
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Luxurious. Extraordinary attention to detail included in every DOE Challenge Home provide even temperatures and quiet in every room and floor.
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Quality-Built. ENERGY STAR qualified components are included throughout the home. During construction, detailed checklists, inspections, and advance diagnostics with independent verifiers help ensure the performance of every DOE Challenge Home.
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Water Efficiency. Every DOE Challenge Home provides efficient hot water distribution systems, while asking partners to embrace comprehensive water efficiency through participation in EPA WaterSense for New Homes.
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Enduring Value. The advanced levels of affordability, comfort, quiet, health, durability, and quality delivered in every DOE Challenge Home are too compelling to ignore. That's why DOE believes this is where all housing is headed in the future.
How to Participate in DOE Challenge Home
Review what it takes to be a leading edge builder. DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements offer comprehensive building science to ensure quality, comfort and savings.
- Talk to your Home Energy Rater or other approved third-party verifier about what it takes to meet the challenge.
- Identify optional builder commitments
to ensure unparalleled excellence. - Understand your partnership commitments as a builder, third-party verifier, or sponsor.
Take the Challenge
- Register to take the challenge and be recognized as a leading-edge builder.
- Qualify homes for the challenge and receive recognition as a leading-edge builder.
- Locate a leader near you. Use the locator map to find builders and raters ready to meet the challenge.
- Subscribe to the DOE Challenge Home News to receive information on leading-edge builders, upcoming training, technical tips and more.