Marketing Benefits of Zero Energy Homes

Clarum Homes, based in Palo Alto, California, has been building homes in California since 1994. In 1999, they began offering solar electric generation on all their homes. But in 2002, Clarum began to work with BIRA and the Building America program to examine and improve how they build homes. Clarum Homes knew they wanted to build quality homes that were both good for their customers and the environment. Working closely with BIRA, Clarum changed the way they build homes integrating energy efficiency and material saving environmentally friendly materials.

Clarum’s first major project building the Enviro-HomeTM, Clarum’s Zero Energy Home (ZEH), was Vista Montana located in Watsonville, CA. Vista Montana included 177 single-family homes, 80 town homes, and 132 apartment homes making it the largest ZEH community in the country. Clarum integrated many energy saving features into the Vista Montana homes such as tankless water heaters, radiant barriers, and engineered HVAC systems. Using good design, Clarum was able to eliminate the need for air conditioning in Watsonville’s mild coastal climate, thereby saving over $1,000 on each unit. The project was incredibly successful, selling out well before expected. Clarum has decided to build only Enviro-HomesTM in the future.

Currently in 2007, Clarum Homes is one of the most progressive home builders in the country. John Suppes, the owner of Clarum Homes, is dedicated to building innovative homes that continue to push the boundaries of technology and design. As an important member of BIRA, Clarum is testing multiple new systems in prototype homes. Working with NREL, Davis Energy Group, and ConSol Clarum is testing advanced wall and HVAC systems in Borrego Springs, CA. The four prototype homes are testing systems in Borrego’s desert climate aimed at further energy and peak-time electricity savings.

It should be noted that Premier Homes, following Clarum’s marketing success at Vista Montaña, constructed the first complete Near ZEH community in the Sacramento area beginning in 2004 and had similar sales and media/PR success to that experienced by Clarum.