Vancleave Construction Customers Seek More Energy-Efficient Homes
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
As the new home construction market continues to improve, more customers want to invest in energy-efficient homes, according to Fred Vancleave, owner of Vancleave Construction. At the same time building codes are also pushing “green.”
“It costs more upfront to build an energy-efficient home but it pays off over time in lower energy bills. It helps the consumer and the environment,” Vancleave explained.
Vancleave Construction is a residential and commercial construction company that serves the area in and around West Leesburg. The company has been in business for nine years and in that time has built more than 200 residential homes.
Making a home more energy efficient
Energy efficiency is determined by the physical features of a home and the equipment it contains. Energy-efficient homes typically feature more insulation as well as Energy Star® windows, heating and air conditioning systems, and appliances. Energy Star-labeled components are twice as energy efficient as comparable components manufactured 10 years ago.
Design elements can also improve energy efficiency. For example, roof overhangs for south-facing windows can help prevent overheating in the summer. Situating a home on a lot to maximize the impact of shade trees can also make a home more energy efficient.
Energy efficiency helps reduce energy consumption, which is ultimately driven by the behavior of the home’s occupants. A leaky air duct or exceptionally hot summer can drive up energy consumption no matter how energy efficient the home was designed and built. According the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the energy used in the average home produces roughly twice as much greenhouse gas pollution as the average car.
Reaping the rewards
In addition to lowering energy bills, energy-efficient homes offer other rewards. Well-insulated homes tend to be quieter and more comfortable with fewer drafts and controlled humidity. Resale values also tend to be higher. According to The Appraisal Journal, in the past a $1 reduction in annual energy bills has resulted in more than $10 increase in resale value.
Since energy-efficient homes require less money to operate, certain lenders have in the past offered energy-efficient mortgages that allow for increased debt-to-income rations. However with today’s lending environment those types of mortgages are rare.
“It would help if banks would loosen up the requirements for customers to get a home loan,” Vancleave said.
More information on Vancleave Construction is available at www.vancleave-construction.com.
