What You Should Know About Energy Efficient Homes
When it comes to buying a home, buyers often think about the aesthetic components of the house. More specifically, how luxurious the master bathroom is, the functionality of the kitchen layout, the overall design, and the material selections. What most homebuyers don’t consider is the energy efficiency of the house.
An energy-efficient home can save you hundreds and even thousands of dollars. In addition to reducing your utility bills, an energy-efficient home can improve your overall comfort, increase your home’s value, and help the environment.
In this blog post, we’re walking you through a key component in determining the energy efficiency of a home. More specifically, of a house that was recently built by Hearthside Homes! For those of you who are new to our blog, welcome to Hearthside Homes. We are a home builder based in Liberty, Missouri. We hope you enjoy learning more about the ins and outs of energy-efficient homes.
An Expert Inspection For Energy Efficiency
First of all, this article would not be possible without the expertise from Redfox Inspections. Redfox Inspections provides certified energy HERS ratings for builders, architects, and home buyers. Their team conducts thorough tests on all homes they inspect. Having a home inspected can give buyers peace of mind and can even increase the value of the property!
This article references a recent blower test that Redfox Inspections conducted on one of our recently completed spec homes. This essentially provides an energy score of the total house, similar to the stickers you’ll see on new appliances in stores! This particular home scored an incredible 54! Other homes in the area that are less energy-efficient score in the 130-140 range. As you can see, there can be a big difference in terms of energy efficiency when it comes to choosing a home or a builder.
The best part? This home was built using our standard techniques, windows, HVAC equipment, etc. This is not an upgrade that you have to splurge on. When you buy a Hearthside home, you can rest easy knowing that you made a great investment!
What Is A Blower Test?
You might be thinking, what exactly is a blower test? Good question! In short, a blower test measures how airtight your home is. The airtightness of a home plays a huge role in how energy efficient it is.
A blower fan is a powerful tool that mounts onto the frame of an exterior door. The fan then pulls air out of the house, which lowers the air pressure inside the home. The higher outdoor air pressure then flows back in through any unsealed cracks or openings. The data from a calibrated blower door allows the inspector to measure the amount of air leakage and the effectiveness of air-sealing.
How Much Can An Energy Efficient Home Save You?
It shouldn’t be a surprise, energy-efficient homes can save you a pretty penny! On the particular home we conducted a blower test, the annual savings were estimated at approximately $1,504. That’s a whopping $45,120 over the course of a 30-year mortgage! Think about how many vacations you could go on! Or perhaps this could mean the difference between a child’s college tuition being paid for! It’s safe to say when it comes to buying a home, energy efficiency should be at the top of your priority list!
Variables That Affect Energy Efficiency
There are several factors that contribute to the energy efficiency of a home. Some things to consider are the lot placement of the home and the direction it faces. Other contributing factors include whether or not the property has a walkout or non-walkout basement. If you want your home to be as energy-efficient as possible, let your builder know and they should be happy to walk you through your options.
Other Benefits Of An Energy Efficient Home
Everyone loves saving money! You might be wondering what are the other benefits of having an energy-efficient home. If you live in a climate with harsh winters, an energy-efficient home can make your living environment more comfortable because it helps retain heat in the home. Furthermore, an energy-efficient home can potentially increase your home’s value. “According to recent studies, energy-efficient homes have a resale value which is about 9% higher than those without energy-saving features.”
Furthermore, depending on where you live, you could receive tax incentives for owning an energy-efficient home. In Missouri, the Department of Natural Resources has a thorough explanation of this incentive and eligibility requirements.
Looking For An Energy Efficient Home In Kansas City?
Are you looking for an energy-efficient home in the Kansas City or surrounding areas? Good news! Since 1987, Hearthside Homes has been building beautiful and long-lasting homes. We currently build in the Kansas City, Liberty, Kearney, and Parkville areas. Click here to learn more about our communities.
Hearthside Homes offers a wide range of floor plans that can accommodate every lifestyle. From 2-story homes to ranch floor plans, reverse, 1.5 story, and more, there’s sure to be a floor plan that will meet your family’s needs. Click here to learn more about our floor plans.
Build An Energy Efficient Home With Hearthside Homes
Want to build an energy-efficient home with us from the ground up? No problem! Hearthside Homes is a semi-custom home builder. This means that our clients get to choose one of our expertly designed floor plans and customize the aesthetics of the home by choosing material selections that suit their unique taste!
Hearthside Homes makes the home building process easy, fast, and fun! Once we break ground on your project, you can expect your home to be move-in ready in about six months. Hearthside Homes believes in offering a transparent building process. You’ll love our friendly staff and thorough communication skills. Our clients love our online client portal, BuilderTrend. BuilderTrend allows our customers to stay in the loop throughout the duration of their project. Customers will get frequent scheduling updates as well as progress photos from the job site. To learn more about building an energy-efficient home with Hearthside Homes, click here to watch our customer testimonial videos!
Be sure to follow the fun on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. You can check out our current listings by clicking here. To learn more about our process, click here. Our Design Center is located at 1915 Industrial Dr #300, Liberty, MO 64068. You can take a virtual tour of our Design Center on our website. To be contacted by one of our experts, give us a call at (816) 781-0234 or fill out this form on our website. We look forward to assisting you throughout your home buying journey!
Learn More About RedFox Inspections
RedFox is located in Des Moines, IA. They are a locally owned and operated company that specializes in residential and commercial home inspections. When you hire their team you can be confident that you will receive quality service and expert advice both before and after the sale. Their mission is to provide prompt, professional services to all of their customers. They offer free on-site estimates and a handful of other services. To learn more about RedFox Inspections, click here to visit their website.
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