I'm a new home buyer interested in buying an Energy Star home - where do I start?
- Southern Energy will partner with your builder, working with them closely to ensure your new home is built to Energy Star program standards. You'll enjoy a home that is built 15% more efficient than code saving you an average of 15% on your monthly bills!
How can I make my home more energy efficient?
- We offer home energy surveys for existing homes so you can see what improvements will give you the best savings. After an assessment of your home, we'll provide an analysis of the most significant energy- and cost-saving opportunities in your home. Creating a prioritized assessment of your home is an effective strategy for reducing energy bills and improving your home's efficiency, while attaining the fastest payback on your energy efficiency investment.
Common Questions about Green Building
I keep hearing a lot about "green" - what exactly is a green home?
- A green home meets higher standards in five main areas: energy efficiency, water efficiency, indoor air quality, site design, and material selections. A certified green home integrates features that translate into significant benefits for your family, including lower utility bills, increased comfort and health, greater durability, reduced environmental impact, and less maintenance costs.
What are green features?
- If you think of a green home like making a cake, the green features are the ingredients that go into it. Products such as energy efficient appliances, formaldehyde-free insulation, high-efficiency toilets, and solar water heaters are all considered green features. However, green features don't make a home "green." Green-certified homes have been designed with a systems-based approach that addresses the home's overall efficiency, quality, health, and comfort.
How do I know a home is green?
- Look for the green label! There are several green building programs a builder can participate in that certify a home is meeting standards. Once certified, a home receives a green label your builder should provide to you at closing.
Can I afford a green home?
- Yes! Green homes can be found in every price range and every style. Recent green home tours have included homes built by regional and national production builders, small local builders, exclusive custom builders and even Habitat for Humanity. With homes on the tours ranging in price from $100,000 to $1,000,000+, your affordable green home is right around the corner.
Will my site work for solar water heating?
- An ideal site has an un-shaded, south-facing roof and receives about 4 to 6 hours of sun. However, there is a bit of wiggle room in the solar installation process. Collectors can face up to 45 degrees east or west of south without a significant decrease in performance.
Is solar water heating cost effective?
- Solar water heating will provide you the most "bang for your buck" since water heating generally accounts for 25% of a home's energy usage. Our solar systems are easy to own, inexpensive to operate and you'll see a positive return on your investment - paybacks are commonly between 5-7 years.
How much does it cost to go solar?
- With federal and state tax credits, you can greatly reduce the cost of your system. The federal tax credit is 30% the cost of the system with state credits at 35% for NC (capped at $1400) and 25% for SC. Before taking advantage of tax credits, systems range in price from $6,000 to $8,000.
How much can I expect to save each month?
- A lot! A solar water heater can save you 75% to 85% on the water heating portion of your monthly utility bill. Of course, savings will vary by household, but for a family of four, that's a savings of about $350 to $450 per year.
What are the advantages of solar pool heating?
- Solar pool heating can extend your swimming season by one month on either side of the season and raise the temperature of the water by ten degrees!
How does solar pool heating compare with heat pumps for pool heating?
- The cost of installing an electric heat pump is generally comparable to the cost of a solar heating system. However, you'll enjoy fixed energy rates using the sun's free energy!
Will I need a special pump?
- In almost all cases, it is not necessary to change or add a pump for the solar heater. Your existing pump is usually capable for circulating pool water through the solar panels.
What kind of maintenance is required?
- Your solar pool heater will require no additional maintenace beyond your usual pool winterizing procedures.
How do I know if a solar electric system would work on my home?
- Solar electric power works for most homes! If your roof is south-facing, has 120 sq. ft. of sun at a minimum and is un-shaded, you're in great shape. After a visit to your home, our team will be able to assess your site conditions and engineer a system to meet your needs.
How big will my system be and how much electricity will it generate?
- An average residential solar system is about 2-kW and will generate 7.25 kWh in an average day. Many factors will contribute to the size of your system such as roof angle, climate and electrical usage.
Are solar electric systems installed with a battery backup? How does it work?
- Solar electric systems can be installed with battery backup systems. If the utility power goes down, the batteries kick in to run loads like a refrigerator, lighting circuits, and well pumps. The batteries are recharged on sunny days with enough power for the night and following day.
How much does a residential solar electric system cost?
- Thanks to state and federal tax credits, it's more economical than ever to generate your own power! The federal tax credit is 30% the cost of the system while the state credits are 35% in NC and 25% in SC. Solar PV systems range in cost from $16,000 to $20,000 before tax credits. Unlike many other home improvements or upgrades, a solar PV system will pay for itself, and then continue generating clean, free energy for generations to come.
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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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