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.