Buying a new home? Look for energy efficient products to save you money

Buying a new home takes a critical eye to evaluate the energy efficiency and embodied carbon of a home’s building products.

When we talk buying a new home, we immediately start talking smart building products. And smart to us means more than just made with environmentally-friendly practices. They are products that also are made with energy efficiency in mind. This means that they will help save you money and adding comfort for your family.

Also, consider buying energy-efficient devices, such as home routers coupled with the best internet availability by address. You can check an appliance’s energy efficiency by the efficiency rating given by your national standard’s board.

What should we look for in a new home’s products?

Buying a new home can be challenging, so here are few tips to help get your started in evaluating the major products in your next home.

HVAC System

One of the most expensive parts of a home to replace is the HVAC system, so make sure to ask about ENERGY STAR and efficiency ratings on the furnace, air conditioning unit, boilers and heat pumps in any home you look at. Ideally when you are buying a new home, you want green building products that have the “ENERGY STAR Most Efficient” designation.

This special classification recognizes the most efficient products in these categories, which can help you save on energy bills. A second inspection by an HVAC professional may also pay for itself in a few months of utility bills. HVAC systems are often over or undersized.

Ductwork that’s too small takes a trained eye to spot. In other words, even if a furnace’s rating is 98 percent efficient, if the ducts it runs into are too small the unit will never run at peak efficiency — and you’ll pay for it in your utility bills.

Entry door

As you look at the home’s main entry door, check the front door. If it feels hot or cold, there may not be enough adequate insulation in its construction (often the case with older homes). And, look carefully at the weatherstripping to make sure it has not worn out, which can cause air leakage.

Siding

Look carefully at all sides of the home exterior to see if there is any rotting, warpage, loose or missing pieces or signs of termite damage on the siding. A properly installed cladding should provide years of low-maintenance, comfort and quiet service.

Windows

Determine when the windows were last replaced in the home and what type of framing material is used. One way to tell their age is to operate them. They should open, close and lock smoothly.

Trim

Examine the trimwork, porch railings, shutters, louvers and other exterior decorative features on the home. If these are poorly installed, not well-cared for, or made with substandard products, you may find signs of rotting, insect infestation or that they’re just plain ugly. Anything left outdoors and in the weather likes a little TLC now and again, a deck, a car, the driveway.

Roof

Look up at the roof and search for curling, broken, missing or fading shingles. Ask about the age and material of the roof, and about the roof’s warranty. There are a lot of terrific roofing option out there beyond the typical shingle. It pays to look into it both from an energy perspective and a “I like seeing this when I come home every day’ perspective.

About the Author

Theresa

A handy designer and writer, she shares DIY projects, tool how-to, and home makeovers as a book author, home show speaker, DIY workshop coach, and radio host. Plus, she has a degree in journalism with a minor in architecture, and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs) and certified color consultant. She's created fast-paced makeovers for TV shows, and shares home trends and DIY tips as a freelance writer and guest on news shows and satellite media tours for TV and radio.

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