How We Build Energy-Efficient Homes
Isaacson Homes was an ENERGY STAR partner for more than a decade, starting in 2009, and built ENERGY STAR certified homes. Each of those homes was checked by an independent home energy rater to confirm it met ENERGY STAR guidelines.
We are no longer an ENERGY STAR partner, but we still use many of the same energy-saving building methods. We can include them in any home we build, even when it isn’t formally certified. Grid-tie solar is also available.
Our story
In 2009, partway through building a new home, the client asked us to make it ENERGY STAR certified. We didn’t yet know what that would take, and we expected it to be an expensive upgrade.
It turned out we were already building close to the standard. The main change was better insulation. With the house better insulated, our HVAC contractor redid the cooling calculations and found the home needed one air conditioning unit instead of two. The savings on that unit paid for the insulation upgrade. The certified home cost the same to build as our conventional homes.
What goes into an energy-efficient home
- Effective insulation: insulation installed properly, meeting or exceeding code, keeps temperatures even throughout the house while using less energy.
- High-performance windows: window coatings keep heat in during winter and out in summer, and block ultraviolet light that fades carpets and furniture.
- Tight construction and sealed ducts: sealing holes, cracks and seams in ducts and walls keeps out drafts, dust, pests and pollen, and improves indoor air.
- Correctly sized heating and cooling: efficient systems sized for the house use less energy, cycle on and off less often, and remove more humidity.
What you get
- Lower utility bills: the house uses less energy to heat and cool.
- Comfort and quiet: steadier temperatures and fewer drafts, with better protection from outside noise and dust.
- Lower maintenance: tight construction and long-lasting, efficient equipment help avoid many common problems.
- Less pollution: using less energy means less pollution from power plants.
Talk to us
If you want these features in your new home, call Philip Isaacson at (520) 559-0288 or email [email protected].