People today are environmentally conscious like never before and always try to look for sustainable ways of living. Going green is the new norm and the current way of life. This applies to the building sector in America, where more and more builders provide energy-efficient, green homes to homeowners and prospective buyers.
Let us look at some of the best energy-efficient home builders in Charlotte.
Meritage:
Meritage Homes can proudly claim to be energy efficient in whatever they build. Their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are super-efficient, lowering the energy consumption. The air quality within homes built by them exceeds the standards set by EPA, an authority on pollution and clean energy. They also have high-performance MERV 13 air filters installed in every home, which means fewer bacteria, pet dander, viral particulate matter, and more.
Meritage Homes also come with several water-saving features – high-performance toilets, flow-smart showerheads, and ENERGY STAR certified appliances, to name a few. Further, they also have UV-blocking windows, due to which you have minimized furniture damage and reduced energy consumption. In addition, their advanced building techniques include thermal breaks, conditioned attics, spray foam insulation, and multi-speed HVAC. Thus, all these features help reduce the cost of energy by lowering its consumption.
Smith Douglas:
Smith Douglas takes energy efficiency very seriously. In the Duke Energy Hero Program for the area of Raleigh in North Carolina, they have been ranked #1 out of 320 builders for excellent, undisputedly best performance in building energy-efficient homes. Their energy efficiency has saved Raleigh residents close to $175,000 per year. In terms of kilowatts of energy, the figure is slightly over 885,000.
How do they accomplish this? So, some of the prominent practices as part of construction include increased insulation. Certainly, it keeps homes warmer, has greater HVAC duct performance, high-efficiency windows, and a tighter building shell.
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) and Smith Douglas homes constantly meet and exceed the program standards.
Cimarron Homes:
Cimarron Homes obtains the Home Innovation Research Labs National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certification on every home they build. Also, they are currently recognized as the NGBS Green Partner of Excellence in the area of Charlotte.
They have onsite stormwater retention/infiltration features, solar energy systems, and water efficiency in the form of more efficient faucets. So, these help to save up to 32% of water, flat showerheads that save 40% more water, and toilets that help save 20% of water.
All of their homes meet and exceed ENERGY STAR standards. Besides, they have installed high-efficiency windows and Aprilaire air filters for cleaner, purer air at home. These filters are pretty long-lasting too. Even they select their home exteriors keeping in mind their long-term durability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance on the part of the homeowner.
H&H Homes:
H&H Homes is a certified EcoSelect homebuilder. They design their homes for building healthier, more energy efficient, and enhanced comfort.
Following are some ways in which they achieve lower levels of energy consumption in their houses:
Void-free Framing:
Voids and gaps in window frame corners lead to drafts and loss of heat within the house. Hence, with house and window frames that are carefully sealed, use of sheathing panels, and house wrap, you have no gaps and corner spaces.
Thicker Walls:
They use 2×6 lumber for framing versus the standard 2×4, which ensures thicker walls. Therefore, the thicker the walls, the more will be the air conditioning effect within.
Low-E Windows:
Low-emissive windows have window glass treated with metallic oxide. As a result, it keeps the heat out even as it lets the light in.
Roof System:
They have radiant barriers installed in the roofs and attics, which reduces heat in the summer and, consequently, the cost of cooling the home.
An energy-efficient home ensures maximum energy use from renewable sources, which is not toxic for our planet. With people increasingly conscious about the environment, you simply cannot miss the offerings these energy-efficient home builders in Charlotte put forth.
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