What to Look for When Buying an Energy Efficient New Home

Insulation Quality: Ensure the home has high-quality grade 1 insulation, especially in the walls and attic. Proper insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the workload on your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Look for homes with insulation materials that are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means the products are built to contribute to safer, healthier air.

Energy-Efficient Windows: Windows can significantly impact energy efficiency. Look for homes with double-pane or triple-pane windows with Low-E coating to minimize heat transfer. This helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduces the need for excessive cooling.

ENERGY STAR® Appliances: Check if the home comes equipped with ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances. These appliances meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, helping you save on electricity costs while minimizing environmental impact.

HVAC System Efficiency: South Texas’s warm climate demands an efficient HVAC system. Ensure that the home has a modern, energy-efficient heating and cooling system. Look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for air conditioners. More importantly, make sure the air unit is sized properly to avoid high energy bills, an uncomfortable and humid living environment, and moisture issues that can comprise the air quality in the home.

Energy-Efficient Lighting: Look for homes equipped with energy-efficient lighting, such as LED bulbs. This small change can contribute significantly to reducing your electricity consumption over time.

Smart Home Features: Consider homes with smart home technologies like MVEC’s Nest that allow you to control and monitor energy usage. Smart thermostats, lighting systems, and other connected devices can help you optimize energy efficiency.

Local Building Codes Compliance: Ensure that the home complies with local building codes related to construction standards and to the State’s energy code. Compliance with these codes ensures that the home meets the minimum standards as required by law.  Homebuyers should strive to build to above minimum code by building or buying a verified high-performance home which is superior to a similar home that’s built only to minimum building code standards.

High-Performance Homes: A home enrolled in a high-performance home program in the Rio Grande Valley like BUILT TO SAVE® or ENERGY STAR® in the AEP Texas High-Performance Home Program is verified by a third-party home energy rater to ensure the home meets the requirements of either of the programs. Verified high-performance homes are more comfortable to live in, have cleaner air inside, and are worth more money if you decide to sell.

Home Orientation: Consider the orientation of the home concerning the sun. Properly designed homes can take advantage of natural shading and sunlight, reducing the need for artificial heating or cooling.

By paying attention to these factors, you can make an informed decision when purchasing an energy-efficient new home in South Texas, benefiting both your wallet and the environment.