The Greater Tulsa Parade of Homes is a great opportunity to see the latest in home design, but have you considered what’s behind those beautiful walls? If you’re considering building your own dream home we’ve got your blueprint for comfort and savings. Investing in the construction of an energy-efficient home has many long-term benefits, including lower utility bills, higher resale values, year-round comfort, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Here are three things you should know before construction begins:
1. Lay the foundation for energy efficiency early in the process.
You know what they say—the early bird is the most efficient. (OK, that’s not a real saying, but it’s true.) To maximize the energy efficiency of your new home, contact a PSO-certified homebuilder before you begin construction. PSO-certified homebuilders are trained to recognize the best path to energy savings, which means you’ll get maximum comfort and take advantage of new-home rebates from PSO without having to backtrack during construction.
2. For your new home to be considered truly energy-efficient, it must be PSO-certified or ENERGY STAR®-certified.
So what’s it mean for your home to be ENERGY STAR-certified? It means your home must stand up to rigorous testing and inspections based on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), an index used by homebuilders to measure a home’s energy efficiency performance.To assure the construction of your new home is meeting these standards, a certified independent HERS rater works closely with your builder throughout the process to determine things like the best energy-saving equipment and construction techniques to use. The rater will also conduct the on-site testing and inspections necessary to earn certification from PSO or ENERGY STAR®.
3. Pay attention to the details and talk to your builder.
Before construction begins, brush up on your understanding of energy efficiency and talk to your builder to make sure design and construction plans align with your vision for an energy efficient home. There are many factors at play in determining a home’s energy efficiency, and you’ll want to consider all of them: the lighting, the insulation, the windows, the ducts and HVAC system. These components all play a role in energy-efficiency, and one weak link—say, improperly sealed windows—can undermine the whole plan. It can seem like a lot to remember, but don’t worry we’ve put together a handy checklist for you to use when discussing details with your homebuilder.
