Energy Efficient Homes Builders
If you want to live in an energy-efficient home, you should start your search at the beginning of construction. If you don’t have a design in mind, you can consult a real estate agent who can guide you through the process. If you are interested in learning more about home affordability, CENTURY21 Northwest offers an energy-efficient home affordability calculator. Here are some things to consider before choosing a home builder.
EnerGuide rated homes are more energy efficient
An EnerGuide rated home is more energy-efficient than a non-rated one. Every home uses energy daily. A utility bill will show you the amount of energy you’re using each month, but what you don’t see are the individual energy bills. Understanding how energy is used throughout your home helps you conserve energy and reduce costs. An EnerGuide Rating will help you to determine how energy-efficient your home is, and what areas need improvement.
The EnerGuide rating system, introduced by the Office of Energy Efficiency in Canada, helps consumers compare homes. It is based on an estimate of a home’s total energy consumption for a year. An EnerGuide rated home is more energy-efficient and will save you money on energy bills. To see whether your new home is EnerGuide rated, consult NRCan. This non-profit organization publishes the EnerGuide rating for all new homes in Canada.
EnerGuide Ratings are issued by Certified Energy Auditors under the direction of Natural Resources Canada. Some door-to-door sellers may claim to be authorized EnerGuide advisers, but these individuals do not work for the government. EnerGuide Ratings range from 0 to 100. A high rating indicates maximum energy efficiency. Typical new homes meet building code standards, so their EnerGuide Ratings are 65-plus. Energy-efficient upgrades will raise the score to 73-plus. Older homes, however, will fall below that and will need to undergo retrofitting and upgrading.
The EnerGuide Rating System sets the stage for an energy-efficiency improvement plan. It teaches homeowners to identify energy waste, implement energy upgrades, and eliminate problem areas. EnerGuide Ratings will be required on all homes in 2019 and will add value to your home. As an added benefit, it will also raise the bar for real estate professionals and realtors. The EnerGuide Rating will make a house more marketable and reduce your energy costs.
Propane appliances are more energy efficient
Among the many reasons why propane appliances are more energy-efficient, one of the biggest is that they emit less than half of the greenhouse gases that electricity does. Natural gas, which is used to generate electricity, contains mostly methane, which traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide. Therefore, propane appliances are the most energy-efficient choice for home heating and cooking. Propane appliances have fewer emissions than electric appliances, making them a better choice for households with limited space.
Although electricity is the more common energy source, propane is significantly more efficient. A propane appliance burns fuel more efficiently than an electrical appliance, and the amount of fuel is less than one-fifth the amount of electricity. Propane appliances are also more expensive, but you can compare their overall costs to see which ones are more cost-effective for your needs. If you’re considering making the switch to propane appliances, consider these tips.
Proponents of propane appliances say that they reduce your energy bill by 50% or more. The biggest advantage is that they use less propane than their electric counterparts. Propane dryers, for example, dry clothing in three-quarters the time that an electric dryer requires. Propane water heaters also operate faster than their electric counterparts. They also can recover water twice as fast. These benefits make propane appliances the most economical choice.
Because propane burns hotter than electricity, it does not use as much energy. Propane appliances have high energy efficiency ratings and help save the environment. High-efficiency appliances can reach 98 percent. Propane appliances are also more environmentally friendly because they produce no pollution. Propane appliances are also safe for the environment since they use propane that is nontoxic and dissipates harmlessly into the air when it leaks.
Fox Blocks insulated concrete forms
The benefits of using Fox Blocks insulated concrete forms (ICF) when building a new home are numerous. These blocks provide superior indoor environmental quality, disaster resistance, and energy efficiency. In addition, they are safer and quieter, with a fire rating of four hours. This helps reduce energy bills, and Fox Blocks are made in the USA. A Fox Blocks professional is always available to answer questions and to connect you to local distributors.
One of the main benefits of Fox Blocks insulated concrete forms is their durability. Compared to wood-framed buildings, ICFs are more resilient to extreme weather and disasters. Furthermore, they are more energy-efficient, healthier, and disaster-resistant than other building materials, and they are much easier to install. In addition, they are a cost-effective alternative to lumber, which has skyrocketed in price.
In addition to providing energy efficiency, Fox Blocks are also highly durable, thanks to their high thermal mass. Building products with high thermal mass slows the transfer of heat. In addition, their low perm rating prevents moisture from penetrating the walls and causing mold growth. Finally, they are disaster-resistant. Made of steel-reinforced concrete, Fox Blocks are strong enough to resist strong winds and even projectile debris flying over a 100-mph wind speed.
One of the best things about Fox Blocks is their high R-value. A Fox Blocks ICF wall assembly can have an R-value of up to 23, far exceeding the requirements of the ASHRAE/ANSI 90.1 energy code. The result is a tight building envelope and superior airtightness. This will save you money and energy in the long run. And don’t forget that ICFs also feature low or no VOC levels.
Maracay Homes
Maracay Homes are among the valley’s most respected home builders, offering many different options for environmentally conscious homeowners. Energy-efficient homes have a lower energy bill and are equipped with smart technologies. Listed below are a few of Maracay’s unique features. Read on to learn about the different ways these homes save energy and money. And find out more about the LivingSmart program.
In Arizona, Maracay Homes is the most popular homebuilder, with over two decades of experience building new homes. They are part of the TRI Pointe Group, an elite regional homebuilding company supported by a national foundation. Maracay Homes understand the value of detailed architectural design plans. For example, they recently collaborated with Quality Built, a national third-party QA inspection company, to perform a Technical Plan ReviewTM on their new community, Villages at Rio Paseo.
The company also has a proprietary suite of tools and processes. LivingSmart(r) homes, for instance, use 30 percent to 50 percent less energy than typical homes. Maracay plans to build 600 Energy Star(r) certified homes this year. Their LivingSmart program allows homebuyers to select any number of amenities, from landscaping to lighting. The company’s energy-efficient homes meet the highest standards of energy efficiency, while also being affordable.
Using the LEED certification process for new homes has several advantages. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the highest standard for green building. It includes a comprehensive analysis of a building’s energy use and savings. This certification requires builders to go through an education process. For Maracay, it was the DRW background that earned the trust of its clients. As a result, Maracay has built nearly 300 LEED-certified homes.
Brookside Development
Energy-efficient homes are the future, and Brookside Development is at the forefront of this transformation. The company uses green building practices and propane appliances in its builds and aims for zero-energy homes. The company has incorporated green building standards into its builds and is striving to meet these requirements while remaining competitive in the Connecticut housing market. The state has been difficult for builders over the last few years, and the latest statistics show that the growth rate of the housing price index in Connecticut was the lowest in the nation.
The company is dedicated to meeting the needs of the first-time homebuyer market. They build homes that meet the most stringent energy efficiency guidelines and are highly energy-efficient. Brookside also offers many programs to help buyers with financing, including USDA programs that require no down payment and low-interest rates. Brookside’s trophy signature homes are an excellent choice for buyers looking for quality, affordable homes. They offer contemporary floor plans with functional features and a personal buying experience.
Brookside Development’s newest projects are located in the Singer Village Subdivision in Derby, Conn. The company has constructed five zero-energy homes in Singer Estates. The developer designed these homes to compete in the competitive real estate market in Connecticut. This community was named Best Green Energy Efficient Single Family Community by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Connecticut. Located at 5 Singer Village Drive, this new neighborhood features zero-energy homes.
Moreover, Brookside Development uses energy-efficient propane appliances in its builds. This means that their customers can justify the purchase of a home in a down market by using propane appliances. These zero-energy homes builders also meet all energy-efficiency guidelines required by the DOE. One recent study showed that 68 percent of residential respondents are comfortable with energy-efficient propane appliances. For the best in zero-energy homes, Brookside Development is energy-efficient homes builders.