Tour to feature net-zero energy homes, tools and tips for homeowners

The U.S. Green Building Council-Illinois will hold its third annual GreenBuilt Home Tour in 16 homes on the weekend of July 25-26. It helps raise public awareness about healthy and sustainable homebuilding practices in real-world applications.

"The tour provides one-time public access to both completed and in-progress homes, each one designed and constructed to demonstrate a number of green-building approaches varying architectural styles and settings," said Brian Imus, executive director of the USGBC-Illinois, organizer of the home tour. "It's about bringing to the life the difference green building design and construction can make for anyone interested in saving money and the planet."

Since the tour's debut in 2013, a total of 31 houses have been shown, and more than 3,000 visits have been tallied. This year's tour will have over 100 volunteers and docents with tours led by the home's architect or builder on site to assist visitors and lead groups to explore each residence.

This year's tour features nine LEED-rated homes, six Energy Star Rated homes, six homes that utilize solar energy, and four renovated homes. These homes are in communities across the Illinois region including Chicago, Batavia, Geneva, Hampshire, Forest Park, Wilmette, Pembroke Township, Wildwood, Oak Park, Park Ridge, and Romeoville.

To qualify for the tour, homes must be third-party verified or ending verification through nationally recognized programs such as: Energy Star for Homes, LEED for Homes, GreenStar, the National Green Building Standard, HERS rating, and Passive House.

For more about attending the tour, including a list of homes, addresses and pictures, visit www.greenbuilthometour.org. Tickets, which admit two people, are $20 for an unlimited passport or $5 for a single home visit. Additional fees do apply.

All proceeds from the tour go to support USGBC-Illinois chapter initiatives.

U.S. Green Building Council-Illinois is a member driven nonprofit that advances buildings and communities that are sustainable, prosperous and healthy. For more information, visit usgbc-illinois.org.