Sen. Michael Bennet, D-CO, visited Thrive Home Builders’ Zero Energy Home to discuss his SAVE Act today.
The Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives last year, which would require mortgage lenders to account for energy savings when calculating payments.
“Right now, home lenders are precluded from calculating … energy costs,” Bennet said during a press conference at Central Park, adding that the incentives in the Act will help fuel development, jobs and homeowner savings.
The senator visited the Zero Energy House because of its example of energy efficiency.
“When we heard about this project, I really wanted to come out because it fits exactly with what we’re trying to do with the SAVE Act,” Bennet said.
The Zero Energy Home is open as a model home at 8146 E. 35th Ave.
“This is part of a two-year effort to build a home that uses as much energy as it produces,” said Gene Myers of Thrive Home Builders.
The home has a HERS score of -1, which means it produces energy through solar and efficient design features. If the SAVE Act passes, mortgage lenders would more widely utilize the HERS Index, which was developed by the Residential Energy Services Network to measure energy consumption.
“We’ll do the work on the House side, and we’ll look for the support in the Senate as we move forward,” Bennet said about the SAVE Act.
Click here to learn more about the Act and here to read about Thrive Home Builders!
