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.