It’s two firsts for Nicor Gas, as it becomes the first Southern Company gas subsidiary to build a Smart Neighborhood® of affordable net-zero homes—and the first operating company within the Southern Company system to partner with Habitat for Humanity on these housing communities.
Southern Company’s electric subsidiaries have developed Smart Neighborhoods in Georgia and Alabama, but Nicor Gas’ Illinois projects will be the first with natural gas heating and water solutions.
The two planned communities—one in Aurora and a second in Northern Fox Valley, both near the Chicago metropolitan area—will total 30 single-family net-zero emissions homes equipped with a combination of renewable, electric and natural gas technologies.
“At Nicor Gas, we are committed to serving our 2.3 million customers and more than 650 communities with clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service,” Meena Beyers, vice president of community and business development for Nicor Gas, told American Gas. “We also share Habitat for Humanity’s vision that home ownership is a source of strength, stability and independence for families. We look forward to bringing innovative net-zero technology to that vision to help improve residents’ quality of life through manageable mortgage payments and energy bills.”
Also known as CARE communities (carbon-neutral, affordable, resilient and efficient), each Smart Neighborhood will come with high-efficiency building envelopes, solar panels and battery solutions that will combine with natural gas technologies to achieve net-zero emissions.
Groundbreaking for the Aurora development is scheduled for summer 2023, with work on the Northern Fox Valley development planned for 2024.
A two-year research study measuring homeowners’ usage of renewable technologies and its role in reaching net-zero emissions will begin when the last family moves in. The study will focus on the entire neighborhood, as well as individual homes.
“These homes demonstrate the importance of natural gas as part of a diverse energy mix in a net-zero future,” said Beyers. “The Aurora community will allow for flexibility, affordability and resiliency for homeowners while contributing to a smarter energy future.”