Knoxville just unveiled its very first Energy Star certified home. According to Connected:
The home is owned by Ollie Goolsby and was rebuilt through Community Development's Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program. The program is designed to help low and moderate income homeowners rebuild or renovate their homes.So what exactly is an Energy Star home, anyway? I went to the Energy Star website to find out:
The house cost about $2,000 more than a non-Energy Star home to build, according to city spokesman Randy Kenner. He said Goolsby's previous utility bills for a two-bedroom house were $150-$300 month, totalling about $2,800 a year. In her new house, if she keeps the thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in summer, Goolsby will pay less than $1000 a year on utilities in her new, three-bedroom home.
To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.The site also includes a directory of builders in Tennessee who have partnered with Energy Star. And although there are several Knoxville area builders listed, Lake Forest Construction and Development appear to be the only ones on the list who have actually built an ES certified home. Anybody know where?
I think the Energy Star homes being built by Community Development are great and I hope more builders in our area follow their lead. But here's what's worrying me: how many already financially strapped Knoxville builders will be willing and/or able to spend more money to build more energy efficient homes, especially considering the fact that many home buyers in the current (fairly ruthless) buyers market may simply not be willing to cover those extra costs when it comes right down to it? And if you're still with me after that last never-ending sentence, what do you think about it?
Also, if any of you guys know of any builders working on energy efficient homes in Knoxville, I'd love to hear about it in the comments.
3 comments:
Grace Construction currently is building the first LEED-certified home in Gettysvue.
As an Energy Star Rater and a LEED for Homes Rater I can make this point - ANY builder can do this. All they really need is a homeowner willing to participate and then get on board with a rater / Energy Star / LEED-H.
Mayshark Construction is currently building a LEED project in 4th and Gill area with Elizabeth Eason Architects.
Please visit my blog when you can.
http://nrgrater.blogspot.com/
This is just one among several homes in the greater knoxville area that I have worked with to achieve ENERGY STAR recognition. Unfortunaltely there are no others in the Knoxville city limits. There are several other builders in our area that are working towards this goal. Here are the names of several builders that have or are currently pursing ENERGY STAR certification locally: Jalyn Homes (Knoxville/ Loudon), Cooper Homes(Loudon), Deer Creek Contractors(New Market/ Knoxville area), Joe R. Soward Construction Co. Inc.( Sevier, Knox, Jefferson, Blount), Bush Builders (Sevier/ Jefferson County), Frame of Mind Construction( Sevier County), Prestige Development( Sevierville), Knox CAC ( Knoxville/ Knox County), Skyland Falls ( Kingsport), Scott Landy/ Henley Construction (Johnson City).
I hope I didn't leave anyone off the list. As Bruce stated any builder can achive the ENERGY STAR level of performance. Any new home has the potential to meet the criteria. Additionally the relatively small upfront cost to upgrade to an ENERGY STAR home can be recouped easily in energy and comfort savings when factored into a mortgage of a new home.
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