from John in Madison, WI:
#24
I'm having a new home built. What should my builder do to make it more efficient?
Tell your builder you want a Focus on Energy New Home!
Tell your builder you want a Focus on Energy New Home! These homes are designed, built, tested and certified to ensure energy efficiency, combustion safety, durability and comfort. In fact a home built to the Focus on Energy New Home standard is as much as 10% more energy efficient than a new home built to code. Ask your builder if they partner with this program. If they don't, ask your builder to contact Focus on Energy to learn more about participation. In addition, make sure that you are installing the most efficient products and equipment in your new home. Buying only ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and lighting, installing a high efficiency hot water heater and furnace with an electronically commutated motor (ECM) and ensuring your central air conditioner is at least a SEER 15, along with building a Focus on Energy New Home will all go a long way in making your new home as energy efficient as possible.
Published Saturday, April 18, 2009