Natural Homes of Logic Real Estate in Santa Fe, N.M., is introducing a new line of energy efficient, custom-style homes using photovoltaics and passive solar design that cost the same as standard custom homes in the region. Depending on homeowners’ energy use they can even reach net-zero energy status.

The price of a Natural Homes, 1,200 square-foot home with a lot of two, two-car garage, two bedroom and two bathrooms, and PV array starts at $279,000. It’s about the same as other custom-made homes in the region, said Natural Homes Owner Alan Hoffman.

“We’re building on average at about $160 per square foot,” he said. “That’s competitive or less than some builders charge for conventional homes. We are just more efficient in how we build them.”

The homes also feature stone countertops, wood planking and beams, hand plastering, custom cabinets and solid wood doors—nice features that custom homes have. “That price includes a lot, priced at $75,000,” he said.

On the sustainability side, the homes have features like super-insulation, an air exchange system, radiant floor heating, energy efficient appliances and lighting, and passive solar design to maximize the benefits of sunlight when needed. Natural Homes and Renaissance Builders’ savings come from using advanced framing techniques, which use less lumber, Hoffman said.

“We figured there’s about 20 percent savings in framing package,” he said. Other savings include a condensing modulating boiler that powers the homes’ hot water and radiant floor heating needs.

Another advantage of the homes is that energy costs are basically built into the mortgage, ensuring more pricing stability for years, according to Hoffman. Just through conservation New Village homes are designed to reduce energy bills to $1,000 to $1,200 a year, but that’s not considering the benefit of the PV.

“We get the rest of the way through the solar photovoltaics and with renewable energy credits. The big factor is how people operate the house,” he said.

Hoffman and State Rep. Brian Egolf (D) were recently on hand to celebrate the first such house in the new line of homes being built by Renaissance Builders. The house featured a 3.4-kilowatt array, which with the other energy efficiency features, will make it a near or net-zero home, depending on how much energy homeowners use, according to Hoffman.

The companies have already completed two of homes with the new designs and have six more in various planning stages, according to Hoffman. In addition to the 1,200 square foot house, they are also offering a 1,500 square foot home at $339,000 and a 2,100 square foot design at $529,000.