Renewable Energy Checklist for Homebuilders

The guide outlines a series of questions for homebuilders to ensure energy efficiency and renewable energy readiness, focusing on building orientation, insulation, window placement, interior layout, and the use of solar water heaters and energy-efficient financing.

• Optimal building orientation for energy efficiency involves aligning the long face of the building within 30 degrees of due south, with 15 degrees being preferable, while ensuring unobstructed southern exposure.
• Energy-efficient home design should maximize south-facing window area, utilize light-colored interior surfaces for daylighting, and place main living spaces near south-facing windows while positioning unused spaces like closets on the north and west sides.
• Homebuilders are encouraged to consider solar water heaters and investigate financial incentives, including lower-rate energy-efficient mortgages and programs for solar energy use.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2008). Renewable Energy Checklist for Homebuilders. https://www.ucs.org/resources/renewable-energy-checklist-homebuilders

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Renewable Energy Checklist for Homebuilders. 2008. https://www.ucs.org/resources/renewable-energy-checklist-homebuilders.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Renewable Energy Checklist for Homebuilders |date=29 July 2008 |url=https://www.ucs.org/resources/renewable-energy-checklist-homebuilders |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2008renewable, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Renewable Energy Checklist for Homebuilders}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2008}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ucs.org/resources/renewable-energy-checklist-homebuilders}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }