The homebuilding industry is in a race to make its homes environmentally cleaner and more energy efficient. Real estate as a whole is a massive carbon offender. Both the construction and operation of buildings account for 40% of global carbon emissions.
Solar panels and energy-efficient appliances help cut emissions, but more needs to be done to improve building construction. That’s what some prefab homebuilders like Dvele, Clever, and a California-based startup called Aro Homes are doing. Aro’s CEO claims its homes will ultimately be carbon-negative.
“The excess renewable energy that we generate after 16 years, that offsets all the carbon that was used to build the home,” said Carl Gish, CEO of Aro Homes. “We’re not aware of any other home builders in the United States that are building homes as environmentally friendly.”
Gish points to four critical elements: First, Aro claims to use the most sustainable materials possible, like more timber and less concrete. Then the company’s production process focuses on building much of the home offsite, where they can monitor quality control and engineering. The homes incorporate energy-efficient systems and appliances. Each home has solar with a battery backup.
So it takes 16 years to offset the carbon foot print of it’s construction but does nothing to address the ongoing footprint it and it’s inhabitants might generate?
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The homebuilding industry is in a race to make its homes environmentally cleaner and more energy efficient. Real estate as a whole is a massive carbon offender. Both the construction and operation of buildings account for 40% of global carbon emissions.
Solar panels and energy-efficient appliances help cut emissions, but more needs to be done to improve building construction. That’s what some prefab homebuilders like Dvele, Clever, and a California-based startup called Aro Homes are doing. Aro’s CEO claims its homes will ultimately be carbon-negative.
“The excess renewable energy that we generate after 16 years, that offsets all the carbon that was used to build the home,” said Carl Gish, CEO of Aro Homes. “We’re not aware of any other home builders in the United States that are building homes as environmentally friendly.”
Gish points to four critical elements: First, Aro claims to use the most sustainable materials possible, like more timber and less concrete. Then the company’s production process focuses on building much of the home offsite, where they can monitor quality control and engineering. The homes incorporate energy-efficient systems and appliances. Each home has solar with a battery backup.
More: [https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/aro-claims-its-new-homes-will-generate-more-energy-than-they-use.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/aro-claims-its-new-homes-will-generate-more-energy-than-they-use.html)
So it takes 16 years to offset the carbon foot print of it’s construction but does nothing to address the ongoing footprint it and it’s inhabitants might generate?
What is the shelf life of these homes in years?