New homes

TEP Energy Smart Homes

Built for better living.

If you’re thinking about buying a newly-constructed home, look for a Tucson Electric Power Energy Smart Home. These homes are more energy efficient, comfortable, quieter and healthful than standard construction homes, and they will save you money now and for years to come.

TEP Energy Smart Homes use 15-30 percent less energy than standard construction homes because they’re built better from the ground up. They feature high efficiency heating and cooling, lighting and appliances, and a complete thermal enclosure. They’re also independently tested and inspected to meet rigorous energy-efficiency standards.

To inquire about purchasing or building a TEP Energy Smart Home, contact one of our program participating homebuilders.

Jump to a section:   Overview  |  FAQs  |  Contact


Overview

The TEP Energy Smart Homes program is designed to assure homeowners that their home was built to the highest energy efficient specifications that will result in lower energy use and costs.

A “whole home” systems approach

The TEP Energy Smart Homes program emphasizes a whole-house approach to improving health, safety, comfort, durability and energy efficiency. Energy-efficient homes are more efficient, healthful and comfortable by treating the structure as a complete system, where every component must work in harmony.

Energy-efficient homes also use fresh-air ventilation and pressure-management techniques that maintain better air quality and comfort. A properly-balanced heating and cooling system delivers maximum energy efficiency.

Program standards focus on best building practices and include on-site inspections and field testing to verify that homes perform the way they were designed. By integrating the latest information on building science, TEP has developed construction requirements that each participating Smart Home builder must meet.

TEP Energy Smart Home features

  • High efficiency heating and cooling suited to the home
  • Controlled ventilation and return air paths
  • Better insulation and mastic-sealed ductwork
  • Advanced diagnostic blower door testing
  • Air and pressure balancing
  • Combustion safety
  • Energy-efficient lighting
  • Energy-efficient appliances
  • High efficiency windows

FAQs

Contact

If you would like to learn more about the TEP Energy Smart Homes program and builders, please email us at RNC_DSM@tep.com

Fact sheets

► Improved insulation maximizes comfort and energy savings

► High-efficiency air conditioning systems with a SEER rating of 14.5 or higher offer more comfort, less energy use and more durability

► Tight construction and ducting provide fresh-air ventilation and when combined with pressure-management techniques maintain better air quality and comfort

► Energy-efficient low-E windows can really make a difference on your energy bills