Making Home Buying Choices

Today I am looking at one area of Rockford Illinois to see what is available in a green or energy efficient home. Of the 18 existing homes currently for sale there are only two that I would consider for energy efficiency. One is passive solar and the other has radiant heat on the main floor. I'm not surprised. Older homes really didn't have the benefit of the choices we now have for a greener, more energy efficient home. They just were not thinking that way. But today, why wouldn't you want a home that takes advantage of the newest techniques and technologies to build a home that is friendly to the environment, uses sustainable materials, saves energy resources, and saves money on utility costs every day you live in it? There are choices and this may be the time to find out about them.

If you are thinking about making a move in the Rockford Illinois area and want to see ALL the homes that are currently available, go to http://www.rockfordhomesandcondos.com/. If you want to learn more about building a new energy efficient home, try http://www.jasonwconstruction.com/. If you have questions about building the home of your dreams contact me or check out my website at http://www.greenhomesrockford.com/.

The Green Home Challenge

Are we thinking about a home choice that will take us into the future? -- or are we satisfied with older dinosaur homes or new homes that will be tomorrows dinosaur. Working with a builder here in Rockford that is building certified energy efficient homes, I realize that anyone thinking of buying a home should be comparing existing, new, new Energy Star, and new Certified homes. Why buy anything but the home that will save you money over a lifetime of ownership.  There are ranch and 2-story plans already certified, or design the home of your dreams -- your home choice CAN be energy efficient. I have also come to find that the initial cost is not as much as we are led to expect. A new energy efficient home can really be very, very affordable. Here in Rockford one of our E2 homes is a 1514 square foot ranch with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, full basement, 2 car garage that is priced to build at $166,500. This is a home that has quality features and is also HERS Energy Rated to be 50% more energy efficient than a traditionally built new home, 35% more energy efficient than an EPA Energy Star new home, and about 80% more energy efficient than a typical existing home. And there is more if you want it -- energy efficiency down to 0% energy usage. So why wouldn't anyone thinking of buying a home compare the costs and long-term savings? In today's economy and into the foreseeable future isn't an affordable, energy efficient, green, healthy home the smart move.

Does Green Cost More in a New Home?

Energy efficiency, water savings, and health issues are green priorities around the country, but in addition to high performance sustainable products and homes that meet energy needs, homes must also be attractive and have the features expected in todays home. We want granite, and stainless, and hardwoods. I hope we also want green, sustainable homes that are energy efficient so we can save every month on our utility costs and the costs of providing the gas and electric we so freely use.

Here in the Rockford Illinois area, I represent E2 residential homes, with a builder who has a patent pending construction method and a variety of ranch and 2-story energy efficient home plans starting at $166,500 -- and that’s with quality construction features that you might not find even in a home costing much more!

• Foundation insulation
• Triple glazed Low-E windows
• R-35 insulated walls and R-60 ceilings
• Energy Star water heater
• 95% efficient HVAC system with sealed duct system
• Heat Recovery Ventilator
• Patent pending E2 residential building envelope system

When you think about a home and the costs of owning it, there is one place where the money can really add up fast: the monthly cost of energy.

E2 homes are CERTIFIED to be 50% more energy efficient than your standard NEW homes, 30 to 35% more efficient than a NEW EPA Energy Star home, up to 80% more efficient than the typical existing home – that means savings every day you own your home. No other builder in the Rockford area has this Residential Energy Services Network Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating for their homes.

For more on affordable, energy efficient, green, healthy homes in Rockford, visit www.e2residential.com/jwc. If you are thinking of moving, it's a good idea to look into the benefits of energy efficiency in these new homes and compare the costs and savings with any existing or new home on the market.  

Can You Trust "Green" Claims?

I've always wondered what rules manufacturers of products use when labeling. When it comes to "green" labeling, it seems that there are no guidelines or limits to unsubstantiated claims and unknown seals or certifications. The green terms are very confusing and, even more importantly, misleading. I understand the Federal Trade Commission is looking into setting up "Green Guides" to substantiate green claims and to recognize legitimate seals and certifications. Companies will need to tell customers if the seals and certifications they use are made by their own companies as opposed to being certified by a third party or a trade organization to which they belong. Hopefully this will make it easier for the consumer to know what a label really means and be comfortable knowing that any claim meets FTC standards.

I have also been concerned about misinformation in the home market. Claims of green or energy efficient are pretty broad. While there are many shades of "green" and "energy efficient", these terms are very different from each other. Including green materials in construction will be good for the environment and conserve natural resources. Energy efficient construction methods and certified energy ratings will mean dollars saved for the life of the home. I don't count a 90+ furnace in a home that has standard insulation as being an energy efficient home--or Energy Star windows in a traditionally constructed home--these are one step up and a nice improvement but there is a lot more needed. I believe that a certification or accepted energy rating is the only way that a home should be listed as green or energy efficient. It's the only way to know if a home has the benefits that we are looking for. In the Rockford Illinois area some home builders are offering green conservation homes, some are offering energy saving construction techniques and materials. These homes are affordable, energy efficient, green, and healthy and now we are moving ahead with at least one new home builder offering an energy efficient home with a HERS rating of 50% -- a Department of Energy Home Energy Rating which means energy savings of 50% over a traditionally built new home. I am encouraged that alternatives are becoming more available.

Solar-Wind Tour in Rockford Area a Wealth of Information

Our part of the world has some amazing solar, wind, and energy efficient examples. Freedom Field in Rockford is an experimental proving ground for wind turbines, solar panels, co-generation techniques, water conservation and green technology. It's an ever evolving learning center. Other places on the October 2nd tour featured wind turbines in operation with both grid and battery back-up, stationary and tracking solar electric generating panels, passive heating using an earth tube that brings air from outside into the home, an under-roof heat capture system, building with SIPS and ICF for performance. The idea of earth friendly and energy efficient building is growing and those in the forefront are sharing their experience. One Rockford area builder is offering a new 1514 square foot energy efficient ranch plan starting at $166,500 -- that compares exceptionally well to the cost of building a traditional home but has the additional benefit of a lifetime of savings. Think of it as more home miles per gallon. Learn more at www.e2residential.com/jwc.

October 2nd Solar Tour in Rockford

Freedom Field, located in the Winnebago County Water Reclamation District's complex, building 9, at 3333 Kishwaukee Road, Rockford, Illinois will be open during the Tour of Solar Places on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a unique opportunity to see a variety of renewable energy 'producing' systems in operation, including photovoltaics, two types of wind generators, solar heating, and, believe it or not, solar hot water air conditioning.  Another unique feature is the buildings' green roof which is being used as an energy 'saving' device.

Is Energy Efficiency and Green the future

I've been following the "Green" concept for many years now and it appears that it is becoming more clearly defined as to what Green is, what it includes, and what it means when you are thinking of building a new home. The marketplace is changing. Will the change be irreversible? Have frugality and living within one's means become more important than building a McMansion. Are homebuyers looking for smaller, more practical, manageable, affordable and sustainable homes?--homes that will have a lifetime of energy cost savings. Has the move to Green-Energy Efficient thinking been bolstered by the rising cost of energy and a concern over global climate change? Or, will new home buyers sacrifice everything for excessive square footage?