Delaware

A first in Delaware for energy-efficient affordable housing

Published

2 months ago

February 20, 2026

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A first in Delaware for energy-efficient affordable housing

The first homes in Delaware to achieve one of the nation’s highest certifications for energy-efficient design were unveiled in Dover on Feb. 19.
An open house and dedication were held for the four Phius-certified homes on North Kirkwood Street.

The first residential buildings in Delaware to achieve one of the nation’s highest certifications for energy-efficient design were unveiled in Dover on Feb. 19.

The North Kirkwood Street “passive house project” features four homes that have been certified in Phius core prescriptive design.

Phius stands for “Passive House Institute United States,” a nonprofit that trains and certifies professionals to build highly energy-efficient and healthy homes, certifies energy-efficient building products and conducts research on energy-efficient construction.

So the homes will be more affordable each month with lower utility bills – and thanks to funding help from nonprofits and governments, the homes will have a more affordable price.

The houses cost an average of about $350,000 to build, but they’re being sold for $250,000 each.

Leading the project were three nonprofits:

NeighborGood Partners, which specializes in affordable housing counseling and development, financial education and lending

Energize Delaware, which promotes clean, efficient and sustainable energy solutions with energy-saving programs, rebates and financing

New Ecology, which helps energy-efficient construction with technical assistance, testing and verification services, project coordination, education and training

NeighborGood Partners is selecting the homeowners from those enrolled in the organization’s housing counseling program, with preference to those who already live in Dover.

“I just want to recognize all the different partners that we had because it took, in this case, a village to make this happen,” said NeighborGood Partners Executive Director Karen Speakman.

Along with the groups heading the project, additional funds came from the Delaware State Housing Authority, Healthy Communities Delaware and the city of Dover including a portion of the city’s money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Construction was led by Green Diamond Builders with Cypress Construction and Architectural Alliance, with New Ecology overseeing the certification process.

How much energy do the homes save?

Phius-certified homes are designed to deliver healthy indoor air, consistent comfort and significantly lower utility bills to reduce monthly housing costs, according to the organization’s website.

How much lower bills?

With 1,680 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, the all-electric homes in Dover are designed to use about 7,500 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, about 625 kilowatt hours per month.

That’s about 30% less than what the average home uses – 10,791 kilowatt hours per year or 899.25 kilowatt hours per month, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Norm Horn, New Ecology construction project manager, outlined the key components in the energy-efficient construction including:

continuous insulation around the outside of the home, higher levels of insulation in the walls, under the floors and in the attic and “significant attention to how that insulation was installed so it works”

a thermal airtight building enclosure that requires very little energy to heat and cool

highly efficient heat pump systems for heating, cooling, the water heater and clothes dryer

dehumidifier system to control moisture

continuous mechanical ventilation with heat recovery that provides fresh, filtered air

New Ecology Chief Executive Officer Kim Stevenson said the construction techniques used in these homes help the owners in several ways.

Utility bills can spike during winter’s cold and summer’s heat if homes don’t have good insulation, good windows and doors or proper sealing around them.

“That forces families to make impossible tradeoffs between paying utility bills, rent or mortgage, food and health care,” Stevenson said.

The Phius homes can decrease monthly utility bills while also improving residents’ health with moisture control to prevent mold along with top-quality air circulation for cleaner, healthier air.

These four homes will be examples for others to follow in trying to make homes more affordable, more energy efficient and healthier, as the nonprofits leading the effort expand the training to more builders.

Tony DePrima, Energize Delaware treasurer and former executive director, said the homes will be part of a research project, comparing data including utility bills to more typical homes to see the cost savings over time.

Energize Delaware is “trying to figure out how do we make this work for the people who need it most,” DePrima said.

Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate and development news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.

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Delaware

Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 10, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

April 11, 2026

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Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 10, 2026

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, April 10, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 10 drawing

03-18-36-42-49, Mega Ball: 06

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from April 10 drawing

Day: 2-4-8

Night: 0-1-3

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from April 10 drawing

Day: 6-6-3-8

Night: 7-3-1-5

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from April 10 drawing

04-10-17-19-25-26

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from April 10 drawing

Day: 4-2-6-7-5

Night: 1-9-3-1-4

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.

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Delaware

Lower Slower Delaware Festival returning to Frankford vineyard April 12 – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties

Published

14 hours ago

April 10, 2026

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Lower Slower Delaware Festival returning to Frankford vineyard April 12 – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties

The third annual Lower Slower Delaware Festival will take place April 12 at Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery, featuring live music, food and family-friendly activities. (Photo courtesy of Salted Vines.)

A local vineyard in Frankford will host the third annual Lower Slower Delaware Festival on April 12, offering a full day of live music, food and family-friendly activities.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery and is open to the public at no cost.

Organizers say the festival is designed to highlight local culture in Sussex County, featuring live entertainment, regional food vendors and small businesses.

Live music is scheduled throughout the day, beginning with Whiskey Graves at 11 a.m., followed by an afternoon performance from String Theory at 3 p.m.

Several food vendors are expected to participate, including Carl’s Gourmet Hots & Sandwiches, Fast Italian, Luv Thai, Taco Reho and Tipsy Flamingo.

In addition to food and music, local vendors will be set up throughout the property offering handmade goods and other items.

Seating will be available on-site, though attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Outside alcohol is not permitted on the property in accordance with Delaware law.

The event is one of several spring gatherings taking place across Sussex County as the coastal region heads into the busy summer season.

Sara Uzer is a journalist from Sussex County with more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and community advocate. She started her career in Washington, DC and has lived in Sussex County for the past five years.

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Delaware

Rehoboth officials announce road closures for April 12 running festival

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Rehoboth officials announce road closures for April 12 running festival

Thousands of runners are expected to compete Sunday, April 12, in the Coastal Delaware Running Festival 9K, half-marathon and full marathon.

The race routes will take participants around Rehoboth Beach and surrounding areas, causing brief closures and restrictions.

Access to the following Rehoboth-area roads will be restricted to street residents only from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 12: Henlopen Avenue (Henlopen Acres residents should use Second Street for access), Columbia Avenue, Grove Street from Columbia Avenue to Henlopen Avenue, Gerar Street, Sussex Street between Fifth and Fourth streets, Ocean Drive and Surf Avenue.

Drivers should also anticipate possible brief closures on the following roads from 7 to 9 a.m.: Lake Avenue, Oak Avenue, Second Street from Columbia Avenue to Lake Avenue, Virginia Avenue first block, and First Street from Virginia Avenue to Lake Avenue.

City of Rehoboth Beach officials appreciate motorists’ cooperation and patience during these closures.

For more information, including maps and pictures, go to codelrun.com.

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