Who doesn't want to save money? Older homes might have their charms, but they usually come with high utility bills. They also often have outdated heating systems, drafty windows, and little to no insulation. When you build a custom home in Fort Wayne, Indiana, you have the chance to make it as energy efficient as possible, reducing your costs and making your home much more comfortable. Learn more about the features that make custom homes energy efficient.
Energy-Efficient Windows
The windows of your home let in light and air. Controlling the amount of air and light that gets in through the windows can help you maintain the comfort level in your house.
Several features determine the energy-efficiency of a window. The frame material plays a part. Some materials, such as aluminum and other metals, provide limited insulation while fiberglass or insulated vinyl frames offer superior insulation.
The composition of a window's glass also affects its energy efficiency. Lancia Homes have argon-filled, low-E windows. Argon is a non-toxic, clear gas that reduces heat transfer. A low-emissivity (Low-E) coating on a window also reduces heat transfer.
Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling
In the average home, more than half of all energy used goes toward heating and cooling. Finding ways to make your home's heating and cooling systems more energy-efficient can mean big savings for you and a much smaller eco-footprint for your home.
When you build a custom home, you have several options for making the most of energy efficiency. A smart thermostat lets you avoid over-cooling or over-heating your home when no one is around. You can program the thermostat to raise or lower the temperature based on your family's schedule. It will also learn your household's habits over time and will adjust the temperature as needed. Even small adjustments to the temperature inside your house can mean a significant reduction in your energy bills.
A smart thermostat is just one way to improve the energy efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. Installing a system that is designed to be energy-efficient is another. Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rates the efficiency of a furnace. Furnaces with AFUE ratings above 90% are among the most efficient ones available. Lancie Homes include gas, forced-air furnaces with an AFUE of 96.2%.
Insulation
A well-insulated home stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Many older, pre-existing homes either don't have insulation or don't have enough insulation to properly control heat flow. Lancia's custom homes include attic and wall insulation as well as insulated fiberglass doors.
The HERS Index
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is the index used across the home-building industry to measure energy-efficiency. The lower the HERS number, the more energy-efficient the home is. Most existing homes have a HERS rating of 130 while newer homes have an average rating of 100. Lancia's homes have an average rating of 64. That means that if you build a Lancia home, you end up paying half of what the average homeowner pays in energy costs.
If you're ready to make a custom home your own, browse our custom home plans available in Fort Wayne, Indiana to see what's available. To learn more about the process of building your custom, energy-efficient home, contact us today.
