I see posts and the mention of new construction homes. I would suggest a lower cost state and a builder like national production builders Lennar who formulate their construction on energy efficiency.
Now in our new home just over one year. It is a smaller home vs our last one, just my wife and I @1800 sq ft
HVAC is a heat pump. Hot Water Gas, Gas Cooktop, Electric Oven and a gas fireplace. (gas is propane)
Sidewalls have R-15, Attic oh heck I dont know, a LOT, r31 at least. Low E windows. Low flow and high efficiency fixtures and toilets.
(and the toilets work incredible somehow)
There is also an air infiltration certification done by an independent agency and the test results are posted on our electric panel. I have no idea what it means other than it must be good. Never took the time to look into it. Also because the home is air tight (I guess) the main HVAC air return duct has an intake outside air duct under the air filter within the main return duct that opens up and lets outside air in when the unit turns on which has its own 6inch x 6inch filter to filter that air.
It is STUPID cheap for energy. I literally laugh to myself typing this because I just added up one years electric bill. 12 months = $1,190. including all the other charges, Base of 29.75 a month taxes etc)
Less than $100 a month in a home where we NEVER open the windows. That is heat or air-conditioning every day of the year.
I still cant wrap my head around how cheap and the way the house is designed seems so efficient. Anyway, very happy. Though our last home was new (now 16 years old) 3000 sq ft and new when we bought it too. So taking a step down to the smaller home and newer standards is a big difference.
Example, warm weather we do turn the thermostat down at night in the summer to 72 while we sleep and for the most part 75 but up to 77 during the daytime. Well, sometimes it takes half a day or more (by dinner time) for the house to get up to that 75 to 77 before the AC clicks on. It still is early in the year and the ground cool but it gives an idea.
Winter we set the stat at 73 while awake and 65 while we sleep. We used to have it go lower but found out with this heat pump on a 24 degree day it's not as efficient trying to get from nighttime temps to daytime.
I still look for ways to get it lower but do not think that is possible.
Now in our new home just over one year. It is a smaller home vs our last one, just my wife and I @1800 sq ft
HVAC is a heat pump. Hot Water Gas, Gas Cooktop, Electric Oven and a gas fireplace. (gas is propane)
Sidewalls have R-15, Attic oh heck I dont know, a LOT, r31 at least. Low E windows. Low flow and high efficiency fixtures and toilets.
(and the toilets work incredible somehow)
There is also an air infiltration certification done by an independent agency and the test results are posted on our electric panel. I have no idea what it means other than it must be good. Never took the time to look into it. Also because the home is air tight (I guess) the main HVAC air return duct has an intake outside air duct under the air filter within the main return duct that opens up and lets outside air in when the unit turns on which has its own 6inch x 6inch filter to filter that air.
It is STUPID cheap for energy. I literally laugh to myself typing this because I just added up one years electric bill. 12 months = $1,190. including all the other charges, Base of 29.75 a month taxes etc)
Less than $100 a month in a home where we NEVER open the windows. That is heat or air-conditioning every day of the year.
I still cant wrap my head around how cheap and the way the house is designed seems so efficient. Anyway, very happy. Though our last home was new (now 16 years old) 3000 sq ft and new when we bought it too. So taking a step down to the smaller home and newer standards is a big difference.
Example, warm weather we do turn the thermostat down at night in the summer to 72 while we sleep and for the most part 75 but up to 77 during the daytime. Well, sometimes it takes half a day or more (by dinner time) for the house to get up to that 75 to 77 before the AC clicks on. It still is early in the year and the ground cool but it gives an idea.
Winter we set the stat at 73 while awake and 65 while we sleep. We used to have it go lower but found out with this heat pump on a 24 degree day it's not as efficient trying to get from nighttime temps to daytime.
I still look for ways to get it lower but do not think that is possible.
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