As PSO’s new homes manager for several years, Lisa has learned a thing or two about the benefits of building an energy-efficient new home. That knowledge came in very handy when it was time for Lisa and her growing family to look for something more spacious.
Right away, she knew just upgrading an old home wasn’t going to cut it. “An older home wasn’t going to make me happy unless we gutted it back to the studs. And I wasn’t ready for an endeavor like that.” The best option for Lisa was to have a home built so she could see with her own eyes what was going on behind the walls.
Once they found the neighborhood they wanted and a participating builder who could meet their demands, she hired a certified Home Energy Rater to oversee energy efficiency throughout the building process.
Since the base model they chose already came with many of the decorative features they wanted, Lisa and her family were able to shift costs toward even more energy-saving upgrades. Some of these upgrades included additional insulation, ENERGY STAR® windows, a downsized HVAC system and an Energy Recovery Ventilator.
“Installing these things has made a huge difference. Our rooms are comfortable, our air conditioner runs less and my family is healthier! Overall, our homebuilding experience was exciting and rewarding. And I’m thrilled to share our utility bills with my neighbors. The latest reaction I got was, ‘Shut the front door!’”
Click here to learn more about building an energy-efficient new home of your own.