Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got til its gone.
—Joni Mitchell
Who knew that legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell knew so much about homebuilding? It’s true, though. When building a new home, it’s not always the flashy features that have the biggest impact. Sometimes those “little” details are what make all the difference in being able to truly enjoy your new home. You might not even notice some of them at first—until you have to live without them.
Let’s be honest, there are some aspects of building a home that seem to lack a bit of luster. When you have floor plans to look at, rooms to configure, fixtures, finishes, and hardware to choose, it can be a little hard to get excited about things such as plumbing, electrical systems, and heating and air conditioning (HVAC). And yet, those mundane things have a huge impact when it comes to how comfortable and energy-efficient our homes are.
While plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC systems may leave you yawning, some builders tend to take them pretty seriously. We happen to be one of those builders. Every part of the construction process is important in ensuring that you’re comfortable—and completely satisfied with your new home. When it comes to building your dream home, we’re of the opinion that there are no “small” details.
That’s true when it comes to the details surrounding your heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. First of all, if you’re not comfortable in your new home (if it’s too hot or too cold, or if you’re constantly having to fiddle with your thermostat) it really won’t matter how great your home looks or how well the rooms in your home flow together. You can have the most beautiful master bathroom in the world, but if your plumbing is sub-standard, you won’t enjoy it.
Of course there’s a financial side you’ll want to consider. Your mortgage may be your single largest cost of owning your home, but it’s not the only cost. Your second largest home ownership expense is what you pay to heat and cool your home and heat your water.According to valuepenguin.com, Americans spend an average of 11 percent of their household budget on utilities and other household operational costs.
In addition to the financial impact your utilities have on your budget, your use of energy also impacts the environment around you. A major reason many people choose to live in the Poconos is that they enjoy the natural beauty. It only makes sense to do whatever we can to protect that beauty. Taking care to install energy efficient components in your new home is a simple—but crucial step.
That’s one reason we are a RESNET® certified builder. The Residential Energy Services Network actually developed an industry standard system for inspecting, testing, and calculating a home’s energy system. This nationally recognized standard (Home Energy Rating System, or HERS) allows builders and homeowners to accurately gauge a home’s energy efficiency.
That means your home uses less energy on appliances (ovens, refrigerators, micro-waves, water heaters, etc.), which saves you money. But it also means that the home you love is easier on the environment.We are also an EPA.gov WaterSense Partner. That means we use methods and materials to help you conserve one of our most precious resources: water.
Click here for more information about RESNET, or watch the video below for more information!
RESNET Know the HERS Index Before Buy
Being energy conscious doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. Making sure your home is comfortable is a top priority for us. The good news is that with the advancements in energy efficiency that organizations such as RESNET and EPA.gov have championed, homes today can use less energy and be more comfortable. You can still be comfortably warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and have plenty of hot water whenever you want it. It’s really a win-win situation.
If you’re looking for practical ways you can make your home more energy-efficient, here’s a post that offers 5 Tips for Creating an Energy Efficient Home.
Those small details may not be very sexy or flashy, but they can make a huge difference in the comfort and efficiency of your new home. We think that energy-efficient comfort is a pretty important consideration for your new home—especially when we can save you some money in the process.
Post Originally Published: October 19, 2015 7:00 AM
