Find an energy efficient homebuilder in Minnesota
Take advantage of this energy efficiency program when you build a new home
If you plan to build a new home, make energy efficiency a priority and make sure your home has been through the CenterPoint Energy’s High Efficiency Homes program. It’s an opt-in energy-efficiency program offered to new home builders.
Homes in this program are plan inspected, and then site inspected and finally put through a series of tests for energy efficiency. The program uses cutting-edge software to model the energy impact of numerous design elements in each participating home. Builders use this data to design improvements that exceed the minimum requirements of the building code. The design and quality of the home’s original construction will have a great impact on lifetime energy use.
If your builder takes advantage of this program you’ll enjoy lower energy costs, greater comfort and a healthier indoor environment.
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Additional Questions to Consider when Building a New Home:
Does This Home Have a HERS Index?
The HERS Index is the industry standard for rating energy efficiency in new homes. The HERS Index Score will tell you how well the home performs energy-wise. The HERS Report will outline the energy features of the home and the expected cost of utility bills.
A certified RESNET Home Energy Rater assesses the energy efficiency of a home, assigning it a relative performance score (the HERS Index Score) compared to a home built to 2006 energy efficiency standards (a score of 100). The lower the number, the more energy efficient the home.
Ask your Builder for the HERS Score for your house!
Why Should I Pay for Further Efficiency Upgrades?
With the current new construction energy efficiency codes, today’s new homes are more energy efficient than the one you grew up in. However, the code only defines the minimum base line a home must meet to pass an inspection. By investing in energy efficiency upgrades, your family will benefit from superior performance, comfort and lower energy bills when compared to a home that is built to code. Additionally, with informed energy efficiency investing, the Return on Investment (the money saved on your family’s energy bill) will more than pay for the initial efficiency upgrades plus other upgrades, such as a stone counter-top, apron sink or upgraded deck.
