Extra bedrooms, extra bathrooms, a home office, maybe a playroom that can convert to a media room once the kiddos are a little older — these are all worthy items on your list of must-haves when buying a new home. But energy-efficient construction and appliances should also be on that list. Why? Let’s look at the benefits of energy-efficient homes:
4 Benefits of Energy-Efficient Homes
1. Beat the Heat Without Sky-High Energy Costs
Let’s not ignore the obvious — summers in Texas are hot. Cranking down the thermostat is the most common defense to the stifling heat, but that can come with a cost — especially if you live in an older home. The windows won’t block solar rays as efficiently, an older A/C unit won’t operate as well, and if the thermostat isn’t programmable, you’ll have to remember to turn it up every day when you leave for work and then back down when you get home. In other words, your electric bill is going to go up with the temperatures.
Modern construction practices are geared toward energy efficiency:
- New homes have thicker, more effective insulation in the walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Well-sealed doors and windows reduce air leaks, and double- or triple-pane windows with low-E coatings reflect heat and block harmful UV rays.
- Right-sized HVAC systems optimize energy use and airflow.
- New appliances use less water and energy.
These energy-efficient features can significantly reduce utility costs. In fact, a newly built home uses about 20 percent less energy than one built just 20 years ago. A home built in 1980 would use approximately 55 percent more energy. Cut my electric bill in half? Yes, please!
2. Year-round Savings
Newly built homes don’t just save during the summer months. You cook, do dishes, and use the lights all year long, so you’ll reap the rewards of energy-efficient appliances every day. When considering the benefits of energy-efficient homes, winters in Texas might be milder than in Montana, but you’ll still find yourself turning on the heat at least two or three months out of the year. The HVAC system that worked so well during the summer works well in the winter, too. You’ll especially appreciate airtight construction when the winter wind blows.
3. Energy-Efficient is also Eco-Friendly
It’s not just your wallet that benefits from energy-efficient construction — the planet does, too. Energy efficiency can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as air and water pollution. More efficient use of water protects this vital natural resource. Today’s builders are opting for construction materials with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOC), which improves air quality. Builders also work to minimize material waste during construction.
4. A Healthier Home
Benefits of energy-efficient homes include improved air quality, better sleep, and other health-related advantages. Imagine no more stuffy noses because high-performance air filtration systems help reduce allergens, dust, and other pollutants. A good night’s rest can happen every night (or at least most) because of consistent room temperatures and noise-reducing insulation and windows. No more unwanted surprises of mold growing under the sink or somewhere else in the home, thanks to moisture control systems. New paint is people-friendly with fewer or no VOCs.
Modern construction mandates also make homes healthier, including safety features such as GFCI and AFCI-protected circuits; safety standards for stairs, decks, and railings; use of fire-resistant materials; and more.
Smarter Living at The Grand Prairie
When looking for energy-efficient homes in Hockley, Texas, The Grand Prairie is your answer. Our six builders know the value of energy-efficient construction and have made such standards an integral part of how they build homes. Low-E windows, heavily insulated walls, right-sized HVACs, Energy Star, and smart home everything — these are common practices for our sustainability-committed builders. Want to learn more? Explore our builders’ energy-efficient construction practices by visiting our model homes, open daily.
