GREENFIELD — Are you thinking how you could get your energy bill down during the heat wave?
Greening Greenfield, a volunteer group that aims to improve the environment, will be hosting a guided tour of a zero-energy home at 33 Smith St. that was recently constructed by the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity on Thursday.
The tour will be the first in a series this summer, one that the group hopes to inspire those building homes to think about more energy-efficient designs, which could save money for homeowners.
“We’re hoping a series of tours this summer, this is the first one, encouraging people to come and see a building that generates as much energy as it’s using on an annual basis,” Nancy Hazard of Greening Greenfield said, “to demonstrate that it’s possible to move in this direction and not just a pipe dream.”
The tour will start at 4:30 and 6 p.m. Those who attend will be able to learn about what efforts went into the home to make it zero-energy from the builders themselves, including “one-on-one conversations with people who are deeply involved in designing houses like this,” said Hazard.
Information about solar energy programs will also be available, she said.
Hazard said they chose the home because it is inspiring for those on more constrained budgets.
“It’s a fairly modest home, an affordable home,” she said. “You can create a zero energy building that’s affordable. It’s not just for wealthy people.”
Hazard said no dates were set for other tours, though Greening Greenfield is looking to book two other locations this summer.
To register for the tour, email Hazard at nhazard@WirkdSustain.net, with the word “Tour” in the subject line, or call 413-774-5667.