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Energy Efficiency / Green / Healthy House
You've probably heard the phrase "energy efficient", "green" or "healthy homes" when it comes to new home construction, but what exactly do those terms mean and exactly how those homes different from a traditional new home?
What is an Energy Efficient Builder?
Let's face it, you would be hard pressed to find a Builder who didn't claim to be an "Energy Efficient Builder". A Builder would never admit he wasn't an Energy Efficient Builder. Many Builders are happy with building to the code requirements alone. Code is however, the minimum standards allowed under the law. Some standards within the code, on certain individual items, are not only sufficient, but might be considered overkill. You might see a Builder claim to exceed code requirements in one or two areas, but by how much and how often. Did the Builder select areas that are important to you or just convenient to them?
Kemick strives to assure that his homes look and operate the same as less efficient homes. The goal is to produce a more efficient, comfortable and convenient atmosphere. If you want lighting, you simply switch it on. If you want it cooler, you simply adjust the thermostat. If you want hot water, you turn on the faucet. Ultimately you will be just accomplishing the desired task with a higher degree of efficiency and for less cost. You may be adjusting the lighting, temperature, security system, pool functions or ovens from a wireless device or any computer within the home or connected to the internet anywhere in the world. Now that's control.
Kemick takes a serious look at each project and client. From there we design and offer recommendations as to the features that should be incorporated into the home. Our recommendations are based upon our experience and knowledge coupled with the clients needs, goals and habits. For instance, a client that is seasonal will have different needs versus a client that if full time. An investor will look at things different from an owner occupied situation. It only makes sense that if you are contemplating building you should seek out professionals that understand and have the ability to accomplish your goals. "What's going to be under your roof?"
What is an Energy Efficient Home?
It's a home that is less reliant on energy and is big on savings. The home may include incorporate a combination of high-efficiency air-conditioners, programmable thermostats, ceilings fans, window treatments, high-efficiency windows, heat recovery units, high resistance ceiling insulation, radiant barriers, encapsulated attics, solar water heater and more.
Many products and techniques used to construct an energy efficient home will also tend to lend themselves to be part of green building and a healthy home. "What's under your roof?"
What is a Green Home?
A green home is a home that uses materials and methods that are sustainable and/or have less of an impact on the environment. The home may include incorporate a combination of materials that are made from renewable and/or sustainable resources. The may incorporate recycled materials for components such as carpet, roofing and insulation. Green homes can incorporate products that are less damaging on the environment when used, such as no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints. Landscaping systems and Irrigation designs can be modified to allow for native plants that need little to no supplemental watering and mulches from recycled materials.
Many products and techniques used to construct a green building will also tend to lend themselves to be part of an energy efficient and healthy home. "What's under your roof?"
What is a Healthy House?
A healthy home is a home that uses materials and methods within the construction that are designed to improve the indoor air quality of the home. The home may incorporate a combination of materials and systems that are designed to not release harmful components into the air, allow large amount of contaminates from entering from the outdoors and systems to filter and treat the air within the home.
Many products and techniques used to construct a Healthy building will also tend to lend themselves to be part of an energy efficient and green home. "What's under your roof?"
 Where Does Most of the Electricity We Use Go?
According to FPL (Florida Power and Light), cooling a home uses 34% of your electricity. Preventing leaks in the air-conditioning duct system the use of a programmable thermostat combined with higher efficiency HVAC units coupled with good building practices are helpful in keeping the cooling component of your energy bills to its lowest. (See chart for breakdown of electricity usage)
Energy Efficient Homes Prove To Be Popular And Profiatable
You wouldn't purchase a new vehicle without first looking at the expected cost of operation (miles per gallon). Well, homes are really no different; they require fuel just like automobiles. The underling thought is that you more than make up for the additional costs of construction by reduced fuel / energy usage. Additionally, the resale value of high efficiency products are typically greater when compared to standard units. Whether were comparing automobiles, buildings or appliances, energy efficient products make you a winner throughout the ownership cycle.
Imagine building or buying a home that saves you money every month and increases the resale value when you decide to sell. What if that home could also qualify you for a more attractive mortgage, be healthier for your family and help the environment at the same time? Would you be interested?
According to Larry Kemick, president of Kemick Homes in Ellenton, Florida, about 75% of all his customers are interested in buying a home that can do that for them and more. Kemick should know because his companies, which builds in Manatee, Sarasota and the Jacksonville area, has won numerous awards for their efforts including the Southeast Builders Conference 'Energy Efficient Grand Aurora Award' for the most energy efficient home in all of Florida Power & Light's service territory.
Building just to code is the minimum building approach. Quality builders should try to exceed those minimum standards whenever feasible or logical to do so. Some codes are adequate. But, air-conditioning codes that require a Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio (SEER) number of 12 should be upgraded to 14 SEER, which exceeds the code by 17%. That gives you 17 percent more cooling for every dollar spent and saves you money on your monthly electric bill. Code only requires the use of R-19 insulation values in the ceiling. An energy efficient builder should use R-30. Also, caulking and sealing all penetrations prevents air leakages.
By buying an energy efficient home, you may qualify for a 5 percent mortgage stretch, which entitles you to a larger mortgage because of the reduced monthly power bills. This additional mortgage, offset by reduced utility bills, allows the homeowner to increase the size of the home and/or add additional options, which allows the homeowner to increase the resale value of their home.
A few other ideas that help save energy include the addition of larger overhangs of the roof to provide more shade for the windows, lighter colored roofs cool the attic space more. Windows and roofs are a large heat gain areas of a home. Landscaping can also help stop heat gain by shading windows and preventing direct sunlight from entering the home. Home orientation also affects your energy bills. When a home has most of its windows facing North, it uses less energy to cool the home. Attic encapsulation will lower the attic temperature to within a few degrees of the home itself. Now all of the ductwork and possibly the air handler will be in conditioned space and protected from what would be normally stifling attic temperatures
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