Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley will hold a dedication ceremony to commemorate the completion of the first Atmos Energy-sponsored Zero Net Energy Home in Virginia. The event begins at 10:00 a.m. at the homesite located at 5472 Stafford Drive in Dublin. Lunch and a further celebration will be held at NRCC in Edwards Hall, room 117, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

An Atmos Zero Net Energy (ZNE) home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes within a year, which results in zero energy consumption. ZNE homes are expected to have a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) index score of 0, meet Energy Star v3.1 criteria, and qualify for the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS certification. Efficiency is achieved using high-efficiency natural gas heating, water heating, air conditioning equipment, building envelope efficiency, and rooftop photovoltaic solar technology.

Atmos Energy donated complete funding for the project.

Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley built the ZNE home in partnership with Setter Construction and Pulaski High School’s Career and Technology Education (CTE) program so that trades students could get real-world, hands-on experience.

“The Stafford Road Project has been an exciting collaborative effort,” said Jim Drader, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity. “We are grateful to Atomos Energy for sponsoring a ZNE build in the New River Valley. We also thank Setter Construction for working with our construction team to mentor the Pulaski CTE students. This project will create an efficient and affordable home for a hardworking family in Pulaski County.”

The ZNE home has 1,245 sq. feet of living space, three bedrooms, two baths, and a 1,245 sq. ft. walkout basement.

Qualifying Habitat for Humanity homebuyers meet three criteria:

• They have a need for affordable housing
• The ability to pay an affordable mortgage (earning 30-80% of the median income in the county where they live)
• Willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity and commit to 200 volunteer hours