5 Tips for Achieving Energy Efficiency
Date Posted: May 14, 2024
Posted In: Discussion, Environment/Sustainability,
From Builder Online: Energy efficient features—and the cost-saving benefits—are expected by today’s new-home buyers. From Energy Star certified appliances to low-E windows, new construction homes are equipped with products and materials that ensure home buyers do not have worry about wasted energy or high utility bills.
To gather top tips on ensuring energy efficiency and educating future homeowners, BUILDER tapped home builders who boast years of Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Awards for their insights. The Energy Star award program, presented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), honors partners who go above and beyond the criteria needed to qualify as Energy Star certified.
Meritage Homes vice president of investor relations and ESG Emily Tadano, Fulton Homes vice president Dennis Webb, and KB Home vice president of innovation and sustainability Jacob Atalla share their knowledge below.
Go the Extra Step with Systems
Multispeed HVAC systems can greatly reduce energy usage when coupled with low-E windows and proper insulation, including spray foam. In addition to a high efficiency HVAC, KB Home and Meritage Homes note energy efficient lighting, Energy Star certified appliances, and WaterSense certified plumbing fixtures as measures to enhance the systems in place.
These features that help builders gain Energy Star certification also meet the requirements of the EPA. Atalla says, “Energy Star certified homes are at least 10% more energy efficient than homes built to code and achieve a 20% improvement on average.”
To support energy usage—which should be much lower with these systems in place—solar panels can also be considered as home building shifts to a more environmentally-friendly environment. Tadano says, “In California, 100% of the homes delivered in 2023 included solar panels, which will generate nearly 9 million kilowatt-hour of electricity per year from renewable power.”