A restoration project in Troy to bring two historic homes into the 21st century could end up serving as a blueprint for energy-efficient "green" building projects all over the state.

The renovation project is part of an effort to revitalize a downtown Troy neighborhood.According to the Troy Record, the project was formed through a partnership between three building companies that believe that the carbon footprint of residential buildings must be drastically reduced by the year 2030 to prevent further damage to planet from global warming.

Besides increased insulation, the homes will be equipped with energy-saving features, including 95 percent efficient furnaces, hookups for both thermal and electrical solar panels, tightly-sealed windows and on-demand water heaters, which, unlike traditional units, would only use energy when hot water is requested. The buildings will receive Energy Star certification once the renovations are complete.