Unity Blog

Sustainable Homes from a Solar-Powered Factory

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Commitment to Sustainability 

Living in a space that reflects your values is important, considering how much of our lives we spend at home. At Unity, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.

From design to construction, our sustainability practices extend beyond the energy-efficient homes we build. It is a part of our mission to elevate the homebuilding process by using renewable, non-hazardous building materials and reducing construction waste. Through smart design and intentional building methods, our high-performance homes are designed to enhance your well-being and minimize your environmental footprint. We create homes that are resilient and sustainable—starting with production in our 100% solar-powered factory.

Solar-Powered Factory

Unity builds prefabricated, panelized homes, where the insulated panel components are pre-built at our 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in southwest New Hampshire. Panelized homes differ from modular homes in that they are assembled on-site like a gingerbread house, while modular homes are delivered as pre-built sections or modules. Our manufacturing facility is equipped and powered by a 136 kW rooftop photovoltaic solar array. The home panels are produced in our net-zero energy factory. This construction means the photovoltaic system on the roof produces more energy than our factory has used for over a year. 

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Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and focusing on energy-efficient living is an important value that most of our clients share. A growing number of future Unity homeowners are opting for PV arrays on their homes or as ground mounts, which we account for during the design phase. We ensure the home manufacturing process is powered by renewable solar energy in addition to our PV-compatible home product—that exceeds Passive House levels of airtightness—which is a positive draw for many people looking to build new.

Local Economic Growth

In collaboration with the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Unity’s parent company, Bensonwood, entered into a lease agreement for our shared manufacturing facility in 2017. Bensonwood has also worked with MEDC to secure funding for renovations and expansions for the Keene facility through a $270,000 Community Development Block Grant and $8.6 million in financing. 

As of the summer of 2024, we now fully own the facility. This development is an important milestone for both the company and our commitment to local economic growth. Owning our own solar-powered facility, both deepen our roots in the region and as leaders in the offsite construction field. 

“Our commitment to sustainable building practices and innovative construction methods is unwavering, we are excited to expand employment opportunities in advanced construction.”  -Tedd Benson, Founder and CEO of Bensonwood and Unity Homes.

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High-Performance, Net-Zero-Ready Homes

Unity homes are built for efficiency, with over 25 pre-designed, pre-engineered plans that ensure maximum comfort and airtightness. The well-insulated, high-performance shell significantly reduces energy needs for heating and cooling, making these homes ideal for pairing with renewable energy systems like PV arrays. All of our homes meet or exceed the Passive House standard of .6 ACH or below without the added cost of having to pursue official certification.

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All Unity homes are fully electric and net-zero ready, meaning they are constructed with exceptional energy efficiency and the potential to achieve net zero energy consumption. With the addition of renewable energy sources like solar panels, Unity homes can easily generate as much energy as they use for a year—and even be built fully off-grid. Features like dense-pack cellulose insulation, triple-pane European windows, and advanced heating and cooling systems minimize energy waste, paving the way for a future without reliance on fossil fuels. By combining sustainable materials with cutting-edge technologies, Unity Homes has a low carbon footprint that contributes to a cleaner, greener planet through responsible and healthy home ownership.

Homes Built for Life

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Your home should reflect your values, especially when it comes to sustainability, health, and comfort. That’s why we build high-performance, net-zero-ready homes designed to reduce your environmental impact while enhancing your quality of life. From the moment you choose Unity, you can feel confident knowing your home will be energy-efficient, resilient, and built for life. Sustainability isn’t just about the homes we build—it’s embedded in every step of how we build them.

Building a Unity home means you’re not just getting a new house—you’re taking a step toward a cleaner, greener future. Together, we aim to build homes that meet the needs of today while paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow. 

A LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE HOME BUILDING

Unity Homes has been a leader in the prefabricated home industry since its inception in 2012. As a spinoff from the renowned Bensonwood, founded in 1973 by Tedd Benson, Unity Homes carries forward a legacy of impeccable craftsmanship and innovative architectural design. Our mission is to craft high-performance, low-energy homes accessible to more people, combining sophisticated technology and advanced prefabrication methods.

What sets Unity Homes apart is our commitment to creating spaces that are not only energy-efficient but also beautifully designed and built to last for generations. Each home is crafted with the utmost attention to detail, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of home sustainability and comfort. Our homes are designed to reduce environmental impact significantly, enhancing the health and well-being of our clients while also promoting a sustainable future. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of our clients by providing them with homes that are both living spaces and lasting legacies.