Every Cristo Homes new construction home is built with energy efficiency engineered in from day one — tight construction, high-performance materials, and independent third-party verification through the RESNET program.

Our recently rated homes' projected HERS Index Score of 60, with estimated annual energy savings of $2,108 compared to an average U.S. home,* is a home built to use roughly 40% less energy than a new home built to today's energy code and 54% less than a typical existing home.*

Energy efficiency isn't an upgrade or an optional package at Cristo Homes. It's standard. Here's what's included in every home we build across Greater Cincinnati, Dayton, Southwest Ohio, and Northern Kentucky.

Independently Verified Through RESNET

We don't just claim our homes are efficient — we prove it. Every Cristo home is rated by a licensed, RESNET-certified third-party energy rater. The HERS (Home Energy Rating System) Index is the nationally recognized standard for measuring residential energy performance, and the score follows the home through resale. A lower score means a more efficient home. Learn more about how HERS ratings are calculated at RESNET's official site.

Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat

Every Cristo home comes equipped with a Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat that lets you manage heating and cooling from anywhere. Adjust the temperature from your phone through the Ring app, set it with a voice command through Amazon Alexa, or program a custom schedule that follows your family's routine. The result is consistent comfort with less wasted energy when no one's home. ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostats can save homeowners about 8% on heating and cooling costs annually.

Water Conservation Plumbing Fixtures

Every faucet, showerhead, and toilet in a Cristo home is selected to help conserve water without sacrificing performance. Modern low-flow fixtures meeting EPA WaterSense standards deliver the same feel and pressure homeowners expect while using significantly less water than older fixtures, which lowers your water bill and reduces strain on local utilities.

Energy Star Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen appliances included in every Cristo home are ENERGY STAR certified, meaning they meet strict energy and water efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges use less electricity and less water than standard models, which adds up to meaningful savings over the life of the home.

Building Practices That Make the Difference

Beyond the standard features above, Cristo Homes builds with tight construction practices that significantly reduce air leakage and improve insulation performance. These include carefully sealed air barriers, high-efficiency HVAC sized correctly for each home, modern window glazing, and insulation packages that meet or exceed current International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) requirements. Air-tightness is verified through blower-door testing during the RESNET rating process.

What This Means for You

Choosing a new Cristo home over an existing home means:

• Lower monthly utility bills from day one, not after years of upgrades
• More consistent indoor comfort with fewer hot and cold spots
• Better indoor air quality from properly sealed and ventilated construction
• A documented HERS rating that supports resale value
• No retrofit headaches like adding insulation, replacing windows, or upgrading appliances

Ready to see the difference an energy-efficient new home can make? Browse our available homes, explore our communities, or contact our team to learn more.

95% AFUE HIGH-EFFICIENCY GAS FURNACE

A 95 AFUE-rated gas furnace converts 95% of fuel into usable heat, compared to 80% or less in older equipment. Multi-speed operation adjusts output based on real-time heating and cooling demand for steadier comfort and lower operating cost.

14 SEER AIR CONDITIONER WITH ECO-FRIENDLY REFRIGERANT

For every increase in SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) you get additional energy savings over lower-rated units. Cristo Homes installs air conditioners using eco-friendly refrigerants in compliance with current EPA refrigerant standards.

ARGON-FILLED WINDOWS WITH LOW-E INSULATED GLASS

Low-E coatings reduce temperature transfer through the glass to lower energy costs and keep the home comfortable year-round. The argon fill between panes further improves the insulating value, and the Low-E coating helps block ultraviolet rays that fade carpet, photos, and furniture.

UPGRADED ATTIC INSULATION

Cristo Homes upgrades attic insulation from the R-30 baseline to R-49, providing the added thermal defense needed to keep conditioned air inside and reduce heating and cooling loads. See the U.S. Department of Energy's recommended insulation R-values by climate zone for context on how Cristo's specification compares.

WATER-RESISTIVE EXTERIOR SHEATHING

Approved water-resistive and air-barrier sheathing performs above standard OSB on moisture resistance and reduces susceptibility to mold and other moisture-related issues, in line with DOE Building America moisture control best practices.

HOW THE HERS INDEX WORKS

The HERS Index is the nationally recognized energy performance rating for homes — similar in concept to the MPG label on a new car, but for residential energy use. The lower the score, the more efficient the home.

• HERS 130 — typical existing home
• HERS 100 — new home built to today's energy code
• HERS 60 — Cristo Homes projected rating
• HERS 0 — net zero energy home

A HERS 60 home uses roughly 40% less energy than a new code-built home and 54% less than a typical existing home. The HERS Index was developed and is maintained by RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network), the national standards-making body for residential energy efficiency rating.

CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING VENTILATION SYSTEM

A continuous-run ventilation fan removes indoor pollutants and circulates fresh air back into the home, improving indoor air quality without sacrificing efficiency, consistent with ASHRAE 62.2 residential ventilation standards.

LOW VOC INTERIOR FINISHES

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are airborne pollutants emitted by many household materials. Cristo Homes uses low-VOC or zero-VOC paint, carpet, and interior finishes to support healthier indoor air.

*Based on a projected HERS rating issued by Think Green Midwest (RESNET-accredited) for the Mayfair plan at Timber Glen, Wilmington OH, on 1/29/26. Savings relative to an average U.S. home. HERS scores and savings for other homes and locations may vary