What Is so Special about Today’s Green Homes?

Today’s “green” homes are even more efficient than those made just a few years ago. Today’s green homes have many different innovations incorporated into them so that they’re even more efficient and better at saving energy. These EnergyStar homes are becoming increasingly common in every area of the country.

In order to be registered as an EnergyStar home, the home has to be at least 15% more efficient than homes built prior to 2004, and also has to include many additional energy saving features that can make them even 20-30 percent more efficient than standard residences.

The EnergyStar program begins with new construction, and today’s green homes have many energy saving features. For example, today’s wall insulation is not fiberglass. Instead, it’s recycled cellulose insulation that provides better insulation than fiberglass and also fills up wall spaces and those in the attic much better than fiberglass did. You can also install this type of insulation either in dry form or by using it as a semi liquid that you can spray between the walls. Besides these benefits, cellulose is a much better thermal protectant than standard types of insulation are.

Power sources, too, offer choice. You’re not limited to being connected to standard utility power grids, and instead can opt for installation of renewable energy sources, like wind, solar, or geothermal energy, depending on where your house is located. You can also combine these methods of power generation, such as solar and wind power, so that you get a more reliable energy source. You can incorporate these renewable energy sources into new construction and existing homes, too. These renewable energy source installations give you many advantages, including a reduction or elimination of utility bill expenses, and not having to worry about brown- or blackouts, as you would with traditional “on the grid” power hookups.

Alternative power sources are just one facet of green energy, though. High efficiency appliances are also part of the program, and cost roughly the same as other regular appliances. These can include appliances like refrigerators, washers and dryers, stoves, tankless water heaters, or high-efficiency heating and cooling systems. Power sources are interchangeable here, too. For example, if you are still connected to a traditional grid setup, you can use more energy-efficient, clean propane or natural gas as your power supply for those appliances.

Windows, too, get in on green energy savings. Windows can help save on energy or increase energy efficiency by having things like double panes with inert gases inserted so the harmful UV rays are kept out and heat or cooling are kept in, as applicable. If you can’t afford these types of windows, you can also apply film directly to your existing windows that will serve the same function by providing UV protection and insulating qualities.

So even though you can build a green home right from the start and it will make your home more efficient, you might be asking how much more it’s going to cost you to build that home. And the answer is that it will cost roughly about 17% more in initial cost that will to build a standard home, but that the extra expense will be offset by the energy savings you’ll incur from that home.

You can find out more about EnergyStar homes and appliances online. Many of the materials, like the cellulose insulation, inline water heaters, and many other green items can be found at local home improvement stores, saving on shipping costs. There are many websites for those do it yourself people that provide plans and kits for alternative energy sources.

Author: J. Dyess has been in the Texas Electricity business segment for the past 7 years and published many articles on Texas Electric news.