I already build energy efficient homes - why should I go through the extra effort to get the Energy Star label?
- Energy Star is a trusted, government backed program with a label widely known and recognized by home owners and consumers. The Energy Star label gives the home buyer added confidence that you have met all specifications of the program which have been verified by a third party.
How difficult is it to start building to the Energy Star standards?
- You'll have no problems incorporating the Energy Star program into your new home construction plans. When you partner with Southern Energy, our team will walk you through the Energy Star verification process involving pre-construction plan review and quality control inspections.
Will I have to radically change the way I build to incorporate a green building program?
- Typically, the answer is no. You can make incremental improvements by starting with what you build now. Green building is about value added engineering to every system of your construction process.
Will green building dramatically increase my costs?
- When building green, you can make small changes or really run with the program. The amount you decide to take on will affect your pricing and builders have typically seen anywhere from a 3 - 10% increase in construction costs.
What are the benefits of adding solar to new homes?
- Adding solar as an upgrade to new homes provides the home buyer with options when interested in energy efficient features.
What if I'm not ready to incorporate the solar systems into my construction plans?
- Building "solar-ready" new homes allows you to incorporate a solar feature into your homes without installing the actual solar systems. Our team will visit your site during construction and prepare the wiring and piping necessary for the future installation of a solar water heating system at minimal cost. If the home owner decides to purchase a solar water heater in the future, they will save considerably on installation costs.
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Useful Links
There are lots of great resources out there if you want to learn even more about sustainable energy. On our Useful Links page , we've listed some of our favorite industry sites, community groups, and partner organizations.
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