Where Innovation Meets Affordability
For Nicor Gas, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about empowering communities.
Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, the Illinois-based utility is building a Smart Neighborhood that will redefine what affordable, resilient and sustainable living looks like, fueled by natural gas.
Located in Aurora, Illinois, the neighborhood will feature homes equipped with connected technologies and efficient dual-fuel systems designed to optimize comfort and reduce emissions. The goal: to demonstrate the vital role natural gas plays in homes designed to be net zero, while keeping affordability and reliability front and center and supporting energy equity.
“Owning a home is a pathway to strength, stability and independence,” said Meena Beyers, vice president of business and community development at Nicor Gas, echoing the shared vision of Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity. “By combining smart technology, data-driven design and dual-fuel energy solutions, we’re showing how families can enjoy both sustainability and savings—without compromise.”
Nicor Gas is backing its innovation with data. Early findings from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory show that dual-fuel homes—those that use both natural gas and electricity—can offer measurable advantages over all-electric alternatives. According to the data, dual-fuel systems can significantly reduce both carbon emissions and operating costs while maintaining comfort and resiliency during peak energy demand.
Nicor Gas’ vision aligns with the industry’s focus on growing innovation. “Affordable and reliable energy is essential for driving innovation and supporting the adoption of new technologies,” Mike King, director of energy efficiency at Nicor Gas, said. “The Smart Neighborhood is our way of demonstrating that future—today.”
He added, “Each home in Nicor Gas’ Smart Neighborhood will integrate technologies from industry-leading partners. These systems will connect appliances, HVAC, water heating and backup energy sources to create a truly responsive home—one that adjusts to maximize efficiency and comfort.”
The initiative met a major milestone this past November with the ribbon cutting of Nicor Gas’ Smart Neighborhood show home, a fully functional model that serves as an interactive demonstration center for residents, policymakers and stakeholders. Visitors can learn from hands-on technology demonstrations, energy performance dashboards, and live examples of dual-fuel systems in action. Technology partners—from GE Appliances to SPAN to Generac—provide an essential piece of the connected, efficient home of the future, showing how, together, energy systems can deliver affordability, reliability and sustainability.
As construction progresses in Aurora, Nicor Gas and Habitat for Humanity are already looking ahead. The utility plans to use data collected from the Smart Neighborhood homes to inform future energy strategies and housing developments, both within Illinois and nationwide.
For other utilities, the takeaway is clear: collaboration, data, and validation matter. By working with Habitat for Humanity, Nicor Gas has turned theory into practice, showing policymakers, regulators and customers what dual-fuel efficiency looks like in real homes, not just models or projections.
The project also aims to prove that the path to a sustainable energy future favors collaboration, not competition.
“This isn’t just about building homes,” Beyers emphasized. “It’s about building a model for how communities, utilities and technology providers can work together toward shared sustainability goals, while keeping energy affordable for everyone.”