Energy Star Rated New Homes: the Real Green Choice

Today's new construction projects, such as new home developments on Long Island, now offer the "green" choice: Energy Star rated houses. Energy Star new construction houses are new homes that meet certain strict government criteria for energy efficiency.

To be an Energy Star efficient new house, these houses must meet these criteria set by the government at www.energystar.gov:

1. Efficient Insulation
2. High-Performance Energy Efficient Windows
3. Tight Construction
4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
5. Efficient Appliances
6. Third-Party Validation

What exactly is an Energy Star rating and how is it the green choice?

Let's talk about green energy. Unfortunately, the term is tossed around so often that many companies claim many products are "green" just because they cause less damage to the ecosystem than other products. When we talk about green, we're discussing a major impact of contaminants or a positive conservation of energy.

When it comes to new houses, the main green impact is energy savings. Energy and cost can be conserved in a number of ways, reducing the demand on fossil fuels. Electricity, which is clean when used, still needs to be produced. Generally, it is produced by burning coal or other fossil fuels with tremendous negative effects on the environment. By reducing the electric demand, you effectively reduce the amount of fossil fuel that needs to be burned. By doing a few things in your home, you can massively reduce your electric demand.

First, you want to take advantage of high quality insulation in new homes. Use enough insulation to adequately protect your new house from the outside elements. Ideally, you should insulate your walls, attic, floors and basement to help maintain an even inside temperature. The more consistent the inside temperature, the less often your heat will kick on, using energy to stabilize the temperature.

Next, consider your windows. With new homes, you can use higher efficiency windows that reduce drafts, insulate outside cold temperatures and help block ultraviolet light (which can fade fabrics, paint and carpets, requiring you to replace them sooner).

Solid construction is critical. Small gaps can create significant air flow points that allow heat to escape in the winter and air conditioning to escape in the summer. When this happens, your air conditioning and heating need to work overtime to compensate. Plugging these holes will greatly reduce your energy costs. With new construction, tight construction, especially around external pipes and duct work, you will have a major savings.

Finally, as you choose a builder, for example www.EmmyHomes.com on Long Island, be sure the new homes have a verified Energy Start certification. This helps protect you to make sure that you are getting the energy benefits that you expect from your new construction.