from Linda in Wausau, WI:
#405
My husband and I own 16 acres of land. We want to build a totally green home. How do we get a grant to do so?? What kind of grant is available, and what kind of stuff does it cover?
Tell your builder you want a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home.
There are a lot of people talking about being green these days, but one of the best ways you can make your new home a little greener is to tell your builder you want a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home. Home energy use is one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions. By making sure your new home is energy efficient you are taking a big step towards owning a greener home. Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes are designed, built, tested and certified to ensure energy efficiency, combustion safety, durability and comfort. In fact, a home built to the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes standards is estimated to be 25 percent 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 program 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 Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home will all go a long way in making your new home as energy efficient as possible.
If you are looking to take additional steps consider learning more about Green Built Home, a green building initiative that reviews and certifies new homes and remodeling projects that meet sustainable building and energy standards. Green Built Home, affiliated with the NAHB National Green Building Program, is also available as a co-branded home certification. Another good source of green building information is the National Association of Home Builders.
The Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program offers discounts and Cash-Back Rewards for certified Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes. Homeowners and builders may be eligible for Cash-Back Rewards for Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes constructed in a participating electric and natural gas utility territory.
Published Tuesday, August 18, 2009