Design and lifestyle factors aside, other important considerations may not be as visible but relate directly to the inner workings of your home – behind the drywall, tucked away in the attic and based in the very foundation upon which your home is built. Take a look at some of the things you should know about new vs. used homes in regard to energy efficiency.

Homes that save you money!

Often, new homes feature “green” construction elements that help minimize your environmental footprint and can save up to 30% on utility and water bills. In fact, a new home can save enough energy to power a coffee maker for 32 years, a TV for 11 years or a washing machine for four years, according to NewHomeSource.com.

If you are considering buying a new home, make sure you look for energy saving features in the construction of the home.

Energy Efficiency Comes Standard

Higher indoor air quality and less dust and pollen in a new home is a huge benefit especially for those suffering from allergies and breathing problems. By creating this thermal envelope for your home that’s built to be tighter and quieter, you will have a well-built home designed to save energy and promote comfort. Ask your new home builder about the thermal envelope of the home.

With a new home, having to carry the burden of updating products that no longer perform well in the home won’t be a problem. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical new home built today is 30 percent more energy efficient than a home built just five years ago — and no comparison to homes that are 10, 15 or 20 years old or more.

Many energy-efficient building techniques are designed to make your new home quieter and tighter while saving on energy usage.

The Importance of HERS

When considering a new home, you should also ask about a home’s Home Energy Rating System (HERS®), which is a score developed by Residential Services Network (RESNET) to measure the energy performance of a home.

So, what does the HERS Index Score mean? It will tell how well the home performs energy-wise, with a lower number indicating a more efficient home and lower energy usage. According to the RESNET HERS Index, 130 HERS is the typical score for a resale home and 100 HERS is the typical score for a standard new home. Anything below a 100 reflects a more energy efficient home.

For instance, if a new home scores a 70 HERS rating, that means it’s 30% more energy efficient than a typical new home and 60% more efficient than a typical resale. You can request a HERS report from your builder, which will outline the energy features of the home and the expected cost of energy usage. After all, beyond the mortgage itself, heating, cooling and water heating often constitute a large cost of homeownership.

From lower energy usage to improved air quality and comfort, energy efficiency can greatly enhance the enjoyment of your home for years to come and can also help to save you money. You can learn more about our energy-efficient building techniques by giving us a call.

10.26.2021