Energy Efficient Homes

    

Energy efficient homes are usually more affordable because:

NOTE: Buildings represent 71% of the consumption of electricity in the U.S. and generate
39% of the nation's carbon emissions.  Clearly any plan to meet the climate change and
electricity generation capacity challenges must address buildings.

Energy Efficient Mortgages

NOTE: A 1998 study commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency found that a home's value rises an average
of $20 for each $1 decrease in the Annual Utility Bill. The October 1998 issue of the Appraisal Journal reported that
the market value of a home increases about $20 for every $1 decrease in Annual Utility Costs.

Energy efficient homes are usually more comfortable because:

Click on the drawing of a very efficient house to enlarge it.

Why Build Energy Star New Homes

Investing in an Energy Efficient Home

Residential Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

Financing an Energy Efficient Home

New Homes Partner Incentives in Nebraska

Example of an Internet site that provides a virtual tour of an Energy Star home

Federal Tax Incentives for Adding Insulation

Energy Efficient Homes Midwest

Home Energy Efficiency Training Videos — California Energy Commission

To achieve high levels of energy efficiency and indoor air quality, the American Lung Association says to: “Build Tight and Ventilate Right”.

Sealing air leaks and providing adequate amounts of fresh filtered air in new and existing homes has already helped many people to achieve a wide variety of goals, including:

 

Some homes that achieved all of the goals listed above are actually more affordable to own because their average monthly energy bills decreased more than their monthly mortgage payments increased.

Los Angeles Times Finds Energy Efficiency is the Most Effective Way of Combating Climate Change

The November 26, 2007, lead editorial in the Los Angeles Times leads with "Great strides against global warming can be made with small steps toward energy efficiency."

The editorial states, "Not all of the potential solutions to climate change are futuristic, expensive or exotic.  In fact, most Americans can find one of the most significant carbon-reducing innovations of the last 30 years in their kitchens, keeping their butter hard."

The column features the strides made with the efficiency of refrigerators that have "grown 5% more energy efficient every year since 1975."  These improvements have reduced millions of tons of carbon emissions and equates to "about a third of the annual electrical output of all the nation's nuclear power plants."

The editorial concludes that energy efficiency is the most effective way of combating climate change that "not only doesn't add costs, it saves money and boosts economies.  The Times argues that, "Energy efficiency is the fastest, safest and cheapest method currently available for cutting carbon emissions. ... Fighting global warming doesn't have to derail the economy, or even slow it much. ... The right combination of saving energy and investing in new forms will pay dividends for the world."

New Energy Efficiency Tax Credits Take Effect

New energy efficiency tax credits went into effect on January 1st, making it easier for U.S. families and businesses to reduce energy costs at home, at work, and on the road. As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the new tax credits will allow consumers to reduce their 2006 tax bills on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to the amount allowed under the law. For example, consumers who purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicles could reduce their tax liability by up to $3,400, while those who install energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in the home can receive up to $500 off of their federal tax bill.

Specific tax benefits for the home include $50 for purchasing an advanced main air circulating fan; $150 for installing a highly efficient furnace or boiler; $200 for installing energy efficient windows; $300 for purchasing a highly efficient central air conditioner, heat pump, or water heater; and 30 percent of the purchase cost, up to $2000, for solar power and solar water heating equipment (this does not apply to equipment used to heat swimming pools or hot tubs).

Businesses may be eligible for credits such as a 30 percent tax credit for the installation of qualifying solar equipment on buildings. Companies that build highly energy efficient homes or manufacture energy-efficient appliances can also earn tax credits. See the DOE press release and for more details, see the Energy Tax Incentives Web site from the Tax Incentives Assistance Project.

Helpful Resources:

 

Additional Sources of Information:

"Consumers don't want to buy electricity or fuel.
They want warm showers and cold beer !"

— Amory and L. Hunter Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute