Nicor Gas, Southern Company and Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity announced the groundbreaking of a new community designed to be carbon-neutral and achieve net-zero in Aurora, Illinois. The largest natural gas distributor in the state is partnering with the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity affiliate to offer new smart homes to first-time home buyers with an emphasis on resiliency and affordability. Nicor Gas is part of Southern Company Gas, a family of four natural gas distribution companies whose commitment to sustainability includes working towards a goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions from operations while delivering quality customer solutions, enriching communities and investing in innovation. This is Southern Company’s first Smart Neighborhood™ community to be led by a natural gas company and in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The 17 homes in the Aurora development will be part of Nicor Gas’ Smart Neighborhood™, where each technology-enhanced home will be served with clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service and supplemented by rooftop solar installations, high-efficiency building envelopes and in-home battery energy storage. The homes will offer the following features:

• Solar panels

• Battery storage

• Smart electric panel

• Insulating concrete form walls

• Spray foam

• Energy efficient windows

• Energy recovery ventilation unit

• LED lighting

Federal funding for the neighborhood was secured by U.S. Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) of the 11th District. To learn more about the Nicor Gas Smart Neighborhood™ and the projects’ partners, visit ngsmartneighborhoods.com.

Photo Credit: Nicor Gas