Choosing energy-smart products
When building your new home, don't forget about the importance of energy-conserving products like furnaces, air conditioners and appliances.
Builders enlist help from energy raters and performance consultants to create the most energy-efficient house plans. This process starts with the framing, by looking for gaps and holes which occur due to wood not being uniform.
In phase two, they check insulation to ensure there is enough and that all the walls and the attic are properly covered.
In the final phase, devices are used to perform a multitude of tests to measure the energy efficiency of the house before the homeowner closes on their new home. Many energy-efficiency problems can be fixed by the builder before the closing date.
In this video: See how involving an energy rater during the planning phase ensures an energy efficient outcome for a new home.
When building your new home, don't forget about the importance of energy-conserving products like furnaces, air conditioners and appliances.
Our four-part series explores how to handle comfort issues in a new home.
Using the sun's stored energy to heat your home reduces your conventional energy consumption.
An energy-smart builder will help you make the right choices for your family and lifestyle.
This kitchen remodel features a new window, energy-efficient lighting, new appliances and side-wall insulation.
An insulated concrete form (ICF) system eliminates the cold drafts typical of wood-frame construction.
Check out a new neighborhood concept and see how one builder is changing the way homes are built with a goal to use zero energy.
Learn about some of the changes for new homes built today. An expert highlights some of the things to consider when building a new home.