5 Energy Efficiency Examples in Homes
When house hunting for a place that won’t break the bank once you buy it, the best place to start is new builds. But why a new build?
Energy-efficient homes on average save homeowners 30% on their energy bills. Many newly built homes offer the most modern and up to date Energy Star features that most older homes have never seen.
House hunting is difficult as it is, but being stuck with an energy money pit after you’ve found your dream home is worse. Homes with great energy efficiency will have specific appliances and minimal energy usage. Energy efficiency examples include things like refrigerators, water heaters, and more.
Here’s a list of additional 5 energy efficiency examples to look out for in your new home.
Insulation is Key
One of the easiest and first energy-saving options when building your home is making sure it’s properly insulated. Whether you will spend most of your time heating or cooling your home, you don’t want any of it to escape your four walls. Good builders will know the importance of meticulous and proper insulation installation.
Improper insulation leads to keeping your heating/cooling system on for longer since your home can’t trap the heat or A/C. Single-family homes in the South consume more energy than their Northern counterparts for this reason. This means getting a staggering energy bill just to stay comfortable in your own home.
Proper Windows
Another new build perk is energy efficient window installations. Saving you time, and money from updating your existing home, new builds come pre-fitted with energy-efficient windows
Much like insulation, energy-efficient windows will keep your home from leaking your heat or A/C giving you a more comfortable, and of course a cheaper home.
Lighting
Sure, you could go out and buy a bunch of energy-efficient LED lightbulbs for an older home you purchased. But trying to replace each and everyone, especially those hard to reach places is at a cost and a pain.
New homes are fully outfitted already with LED lightbulbs, along with those sometimes hard to find spotlight bulbs. There’s no need for you to add additional spend to your budget after you’ve just purchased your home.
Appliances
Walk into any newly built home and head to the kitchen and you’ll see every appliance outfitted with an Energy Star certified sticker. Unless the previous owner of the older home you’re looking at was forced to purchase new appliances, chances are they’re outdated and not up to today’s standards.
A great way to put a freeze on a higher energy bill.
Smart Thermostats
The majority of new homes come with a smart thermostat preinstalled. These new pieces of technology help against the battle of high energy costs but allowing you to program your heating and cooling times based on your schedule.
Regular thermostats either let you set the temperature only, or allow for a standard schedule that can’t be changed. With smart thermostats, you can set the temperature through your phone and sync it to your work schedule to reduce energy usage when no one is home.
Look for Energy-Efficient Example on Your House Hunt
Whether you’re looking to update your existing home, or want tips on what to look out for during your house-hunting these tips should put you on the right track to saving your hard-earned money.
Feel ready to apply your energy-efficient knowledge? Check out available floorplans of newly built energy-saving homes today.