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Green Building

Energy Efficiency

At Tim O’Brien Homes, we take pride in building new homes that are energy efficient and allow us to save our customers significant money on their homes over time. We use building science to collect data on homes which allows us to continually improve our construction techniques. By participating in the following programs we are able to make sure every one of the homes we build meets high energy standards.

How Green Energy Can Pay You Back

Typical 30-Year-Old Home Built to 1989 Requirements

Average Annual Energy Costs

$2,622

Tim O’Brien Energy-Efficient Home

Average Annual Energy Costs

$1,832

Maximum Payback Potential

$790/Year

HERS

The Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) is a national index that shows where a home lands on an energy scale. The lower the score, the more energy-efficient the home and the more money the homeowners will save. If a new home was built to new code specifications it would receive a score of 100 and existing older homes typically score 150 and higher. 

Every Tim O'Brien Home is tested with an average score of 45.  What score will your new home receive?


Hers Score

Wisconsin Focus on Energy

Every home in the Wisconsin Focus on Energy New Homes Program undergoes a series of performance tests and must meet specific program standards, including:

  • Framing and insulation installation review
  • Air-tightness to minimize drafts and create superior indoor air quality
  • Sealed combustion equipment and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure safety
  • Whole-house ventilation installed for proper ventilation

Upon certification, Tim O'Brien Homes homeowners receive a Homeowner's manual, a certification report that shows the home's energy savings, and a Focus on Energy New Homes Certification Plaque.

Proud to have our own, Don Esposito featured in the New Home Certification video. (Video courtesy of Wisconsin Focus On Energy®)

DOE ZERO ENERGY READY HOME Partner

What is the Department of Energy (DOE) Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) Program? A symbol of excellence for Energy Savings, Comfort, Health, Quality, and Durability.

Zero Energy Ready Homes are High Performance Homes. Homes that are so energy efficient that all, or most consumption can be offset with renewable energy. In other words, they are the homes of the future.

Tim O'Brien Homes is in the top one percent of builders in the country meeting the extraordinary levels of excellence in energy and performance specified in the national program requirements.  We're proud to be a 4-time recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy Housing Innovation Award.  Learn more and take the DOE Tour of Zero.

Green Builder

Energy StarEnergy Icon

This government-backed national program helps businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. All Tim O'Brien Homes feature Energy Star products.

5-Year Energy Guarantee



We’ve always been committed to building certified energy-efficient, green homes that meet or exceed industry standard and we have the program to back it up.

A Tim O’Brien home performs 30% better than a typical new home. If yours does not, we will reimburse any additional heating and cooling costs you incur. For a full five years.**

**Based on “as designed” industry standards per WIUDC Energy Cost Compliance. Your actual energy costs and savings may vary. See a New Home Sales Professional for complete terms and conditions.

© 2024 Copyright Tim O'Brien Homes. All Rights Reserved.

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