With elections on our minds, and all over the press, green is a word that floats easily off the tongue of our want to be leaders. Green has advanced from being the name of a political party, to a major plank in the platforms of all the political parties. It has also become an important part of the home buyers decision making process. Concerns and wants run the gamut from the obvious, (like Energy Star rated appliances), to the nearly invisible (low V.O.C paints). Even our “already elected” officials see the political usefulness, and hopefully the actual value of going green. This is evidenced in the creation and extension of many tax credits that are a part of the so called bailout plan.
Indeed, the government has extended the credits for solar and alternative energy features in commercial and multifamily applications. It also removed a $2000 cap for the credit in residential solar applications. Other alternative energy sources given new, or having their credits extended include geothermal heat pumps, fuel cells, and wind energy. Add to that even more credits for “building green” and meeting certain energy efficient ratings. These cover green building materials, lighting, air conditioning and appliances.
So what are the current top trends and technologies for energy efficiency in new homes,and in your remodel of an existing home? According to PATH (Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing), top techniques include:
Air sealing using sprayed foam and fiber insulations.
HVAC sizing, estimating heating and cooling loads more accurately and then properly equipping homes for more efficient energy use.
High efficiency toilets, saving 20% more water than a standard 1.6 gallon per flush toilet. This equates to over 8700 gallons per year savings for a family of four.
Compact Flourescent lighting, which are up to 4 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs, and can last up to 10 times longer.
Tubular skylights, using the sun to light interiors, but without many of the drawbacks of conventional sky lights.
The list is endless, and the savings great. Many of the mentioned technologies can be used in new construction, or added to your existing home to start enjoying the benefits now. And, adding to your homes value later…
Posted by rldonavon 