Green living
A few Atlanta developers and builders are putting the extra effort -- and money -- into creating homes that meet the guidelines of the federal government’s Energy Star program.
The standards are becoming even more stringent, as the Energy Star 3.0 version goes into effect on Jan. 1.
“It’s bringing energy-efficiency requirements up to another level,” said Chris Laumer-Giddens, an architect and certified home energy rater with Energy Vanguard, an Atlanta firm that provides training, consulting, architectural and HVAC design, and HERS (Home Energy Rating System) services. “Energy Star is focused on energy efficiency. That is really where people save money.”
In Georgia, there have been (as of November):
- 15,354 Energy Star-qualified homes built.
- 2,895 Energy Star-qualified homes built in 2011.
Builders hope the Energy Star 3.0 focus will give them a competitive edge as they’re building “spec” homes -- those under construction without being under contract by a buyer.
“Many builders who were compliant with Energy Star before are moving away from the new requirements because it is a lot more stringent,” said Joel Geniesse, purchasing manager for Ashton Woods Homes, which is building 100 percent Energy Star-qualified homes. Ashton Woods has built more than 2,100 qualified homes in Atlanta since it became an Energy Star partner in 2002.
Home benefits
The Energy Star 3.0 guidelines, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, focus on a home’s mechanical systems and ductwork, moisture control methods, and insulation and wall systems. Those join existing requirements from older Energy Star versions regarding high-performance heating and cooling systems, high-efficiency windows and the use of energy-efficient products.
The program aims for a home to be at least 30 percent more energy-efficient than the building code.
Builders participating in Energy Star 3.0 must complete four checklists that verify that the home’s HVAC, water management and thermal enclosure systems meet standards. A third-party inspector is needed to certify those requirements.
“They go through a series of checklists to make sure you have the right amount of insulation and that the house doesn’t leak badly,” Laumer-Giddens said.
Buyer benefits
Cost savings top the list.
The government estimates that the Energy Star 3.0 requirements could add $3,000-$4,000 to the home’s cost, based on its study of one-story, three-bedroom homes with about 2,200 square feet in Florida, Texas, Missouri and Indiana.
Laumer-Giddens estimates that buyers in Atlanta could see an average of 2 to 3 percent -- but even as high as 5 percent -- added onto a home’s construction budget, but homeowners should reap the savings on utility costs. Annual utility savings projections by the EPA, again looking at a one-story, three-bedroom home, range from $271 to $493.
“The goal is to save energy and save money,” Laumer-Giddens said.
He is the architect of a four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home under construction in Grant Park that is expected to meet Energy Star 3.0 standards and will be an estimated 50 percent more energy-efficient than the same size home built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Derek Miller of Benchmark Carpentry is building the two-story home at 947 Cherokee Ave., which is about 2,400 square feet and expected to be priced in the low $400,000s, said Mark Hawkins, a real estate agent with Murray Company Realtors. The house will operate only on electricity, with monthly bills projected at $125.
3 questions for builders
1. Are you an Energy Star partner?
To have a home Energy Star 3.0 certified, the company must be a partner in the program. To search, go to www.energystar.gov, then select New Homes and find an Energy Star builder (you can narrow the search to state and metro area). Others such as O’Dwyer Homes are listed there, too.
2. Is a home energy rater involved to help you with the verification?
The answer needs to be: Yes.
3. Is neighborhood approval necessary?
If you are having a home built in an existing neighborhood, the plans may need to be approved by a homeowners or neighborhood association. The Grant Park home, for example, had to meet certain guidelines because it is in a historic district.
