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Green Building Principle #5
Energy Efficiency
This is the first
item many people might think of when thinking of
Building Green. A Green Built
Home will have high energy efficient appliances,
HVAC and water heating and could include the use
of Geothermal, Wind and Solar. Also the use of
high efficient insulation protecting the
interior envelope from the elements including
radiant barriers.
The homes physical design in
regards to roof over hangs and room placement in
relation to the sun's path across the sky is a
passive method of planning an energy efficient
home. Insulating windows and doors
have been common for years and are included in
the specifications list. You might have to look
hard to find an incandescent light bulb in a
Green Built Home. Most all lighting will be
Compact Fluorescent Lights or CFLs. Not only do
CFLs use less electricity, they also create much
less heat. Therefore, your Air Conditioner
doesn't need to work has hard to cool your home. Air Conditioners
are rated in SEER numbers. Expect to find a SEER
rating of 16 or higher in a Green Built Home. We
recently replaced the old clunker of an air
conditioner in our personal home with a high
efficient SEER 16 unit and the results are
fantastic! Especially my bill from the local
power grid! Question; Is your Dishwasher
Energy-Star compliant?
Continue
to Principle #6 - Home Owner Education
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