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Introduction
Benefits
Energy Conservation Measures
Choosing a New Home
1. Introduction
The design and construction phases of a home are the best time to build in energy efficiency. This is when the most energy efficient measures can be installed at the lowest price. Smart design and quality construction brings a small increase in the initial price of a home, but reduce operation and maintenance costs while providing a higher level of satisfaction for the owner.
While new homes are generally more efficient than older homes, not all new homes are as efficient as they could or should be. Many new homes are built to the minimum code standards, which does not take greatest advantage of energy-efficient construction methods. Homes that meet code requirements may still exhibit problems with home comfort, health and safety, moisture and energy waste. Fortunately, there are increasing numbers of builders choosing to build more energy-efficient or “high performance” homes, with typical designs and features attractive to home buyers.
Next to the mortgage, utility costs can be the second highest costs of home ownership. Reducing energy costs can make homeownership more affordable. Many lenders offer special mortgage packages, called energy efficient mortgages, or EEMS, which recognize that owning an energy-efficient home improves a homeowner’s financial picture.
2. Benefits
Energy Savings
An energy efficient new home can save provide substantial monthly savings. Some Colorado builders are confident enough in their techniques that they guarantee buyers' heating bills.
Comfortable Living
Comfort problems, such as cold spots, wide temperature differences from room to room, and “drafty” windows that often plague homeowners can be avoided in an energy-efficient home.
Health & Safety
People spend a large portion of their time indoors. Indoor pollutants can cause many health problems. Energy-efficient homes include ventilation strategies that provide fresh, clean air.
Increased Home Value
Homes built with durable materials and attention to construction quality will have fewer problems and better hold their value. Further, according to ENERGY STAR, studies conducted since the early 1970's have consistently concluded that energy-efficient homes earn a higher resale price than average homes. ENERGY STAR offers tips on positioning a new energy-efficient home for high resale.
Conservation
Homes are responsible for 15% of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Conserving the amount of energy used in your home reduces air pollution.
3. Energy Conservation Measures
- House size. No matter what size you are planning on for your new home, it’s important to implement efficiency measures. However, the larger the home, the more energy it will consume.
- Orientation. It is ideal to choose a site that will allow for good southern sun exposure. In a properly designed home, this orientation can help heat your home in the winter, and protect against heat gain in the summer. In sites that don't permit optimal solar orientation, it is important to pay attention to the details that will keep the home from overheating in the summer.
- Windows. Excessive amounts of window area drive up construction and energy costs. Energy efficient windows include features like low-e coatings, insulating spacers and low-conductivity framing materials. Learn more about efficient windows.
- Mechanical systems. Choose high efficiency heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment. Ensure that the system is properly sized using industry standard manuals. Centrally located HVAC equipment and improved duct layout design maximize the efficient delivery of conditioned air. Ducts should be run in conditioned spaces where ever possible, be properly sized and sealed with mastic. Return air runs should be hard-ducted, not run in wall cavities. Water heating equipment should also high efficiency and centrally located. Tankless water heaters can supply more hot water and lower energy costs. Learn more about efficient heating systems.
- Air infiltration. The thermal envelope of the home should be well sealed. Techniques include using foam to seal any junctures, penetrations, gaps or holes in the exterior envelope, including electrical outlets, through-wall pipes, around windows, and at wall corners and bottom and top plates. Learn more about air leakage.
- Insulation. Wall and ceiling insulation should be closer to climate-based recommendations from Department of Energy than the minimum code requirements. Learn more about insulation.
- Energy efficient lighting and appliances.
- Indoor Air Quality. Mechanical ventilation provides fresh air, diluting any indoor pollutants such as VOCs, cooking odors, and unwanted moisture. Fully sealing all walls common to the garage helps keeps dangerous exhaust gases from entering the home.
- Other Considerations. Many home builders implement other important practices or products that you may want to consider. Water-saving products, such as low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets inside and water wise landscaping practices outside. Roofing, siding, decking products that have a long service life and require less maintenance over time.
4. Choosing a New Home
There are several resources available to help you make an educated decision about your new home investment.
Questions to ask
A Colorado website developed by Fort Collins Utilities and E-Star Colorado provides a thorough description that will help you evaluate new home builders and the homes they are selling. The “What to Look For in a New Home” website includes a list of key benefits, fact sheets, and questions to ask a builder or sales agent.
Home Labeling Programs. Each of these programs offers its own approach to energy-efficient or high performance home building. Review their websites to determine which features are most important for you.
- Built Green? Colorado. A statewide, voluntary program administered by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver. The program requires registered homes to exceed minimum codes for energy efficiency, and address improved durability, materials selection, health and safety, and water and natural resources conservation. Compliance is verified by independent third parties on a random basis.
- ENERGY STAR Homes. A voluntary, government-backed program that helps individuals and businesses protect the environment through energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR qualified homes are verified by computer modeling to be at least 30% more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 national Model Energy Code or 15% more efficient than the state energy code, whichever is more rigorous.
- Environments for Living is a building science program sponsored by Masco Contractor Services.
References, licensing, insurance
It is always important to speak with previous customers, check with the Better Business Bureau and ask for verification of the necessary licensing and insurance requirements.
Selecting a builder or contractor
Visit our list of new home builders.
You can also review Built Green’s training and guidelines for choosing a builder online as well as tips for choosing a remodeler.
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