Each year, Atmos Energy celebrates Earth Day alongside the 1,400 communities we serve. This story is part of a continuing series being published all week about the ways in which our comprehensive environmental strategy supports a lower carbon future today and for generations to come.

Showcasing the efficiency, reliability and affordability of natural gas, Atmos Energy and local Habitat for Humanity chapters continue building zero net energy (ZNE) homes in the eight states we serve. A zero net energy home is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year, which results in net zero energy consumption. Since 2021, we have completed the construction of eight new ZNE homes – including six in 2022 – with four more scheduled for dedication this year.

“Part of what launched this program for us was looking at greenhouse gas goals and environmental, social and governance goals nationwide and wanting to show how natural gas can be a part of achieving those goals,” said Rob Leivo, Atmos Energy vice president of marketing for the West Texas division. “You don’t have to build an all-electric home to reach those goals. A natural gas home can be zero net energy and affordable.”

Each ZNE home is designed to meet green building standards and certifications with rooftop photovoltaic solar panels, high efficiency ENERGY STAR natural gas appliances, top-rated insulation and windows, and other advanced weatherization features to improve energy efficiency. Completed ZNE homes include five in Texas – one in Dallas, one in Taylor, and three in Lubbock – as well as one each in Colorado (Evans), Kentucky (Owensboro), and Mississippi (Jackson). Homes being built in Kansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Virginia are scheduled to finish construction before the end of 2023.

“Any ZNE home building envelope has to be extremely tight – it has to be a lot more well insulated than what you see on your standard home,” explained Darwin Stamport, Atmos Energy vice president of marketing for the Mid-Tex division. “And then we install extremely high efficiency natural gas appliances incorporating the latest technology, with different appliances in each of the homes, depending on the area. It’s a partnership with all energy sources—whether it’s solar, wind, gas—that will get us to the place we need to be down the road in terms of reliability and affordability.”

To learn more about Atmos Energy’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build ZNE homes in cities around the country, please visit atmosenergy.com/ZNE.