As an Energy Star Partner Arvola Homes is held to a higher standard. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, homes built with Energy StarŪ guidelines will operate at a minimum of 20% more efficient than homes built to the International Residential Code and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes.
Features of ENERGY STAR qualified homes
1. Effective Insulation
Properly installed and inspected insulation in floors, walls, and attics ensures even temperatures throughout the house, reduced energy use, and increased comfort. How can we build a home 50% more energy efficient?
2. High-Performance Windows
Energy-efficient windows employ advanced technologies, such as protective coatings and improved frames, to help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. These windows also block damaging ultraviolet sunlight that can discolor carpets and furnishings.The Thermo-tech windows Arvola Homes install are Energy Star certified and meet all the qualifications.
3. Tight Construction and Ducts
Sealing holes and cracks in the home's "envelope" and in heating and cooling duct systems helps reduce drafts, moisture, dust, pollen, and noise. A tightly sealed home improves comfort and indoor air quality while reducing utility and maintenance.
4. Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
In addition to using less energy to operate, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems can be quieter, reduce indoor humidity, and improve the overall comfort of the home. When properly installed into a tightly sealed home, this equipment won't have to work so hard to heat and cool the home.
5. Efficient Products
ENERGY STAR qualified homes may also be equipped with ENERGY STAR qualified products such as light fixtures, compact fluorescent bulbs, ventilation fans, refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines.
6. Third-Party Verification
With the help of independent Home Energy Raters, ENERGY STAR builder partners choose the most appropriate energy-saving features for their homes. Additionally, raters conduct onsite testing and inspections to verify energy efficiency measures, insulation, air tightness, and duct sealing details. Arvola Homes recently had a home tested in the fall of 2009 by an ENERGY STAR rater to be 52% more energy efficient than than home just built to Minnesota Residential Code!
Added Confidence Home buying is complex enough without having to know all the details of energy-efficient construction. Instead, look for the government-backed ENERGY STAR label to easily identify homes that are truly energy efficient. Find the house of your dreams and enjoy peace of mind knowing that it also meets strict energy efficiency guidelines.
Lower Ownership Cost Compared with standard homes, ENERGY STAR qualified homes use substantially less energy for heating, cooling, and water heating-delivering $200 to $400 in annual savings. Over the average 7 to 8 years you may live in your home, this adds up to thousands of dollars saved on utility bills. Additional savings on maintenance can also be substantial. Financing your home purchase using an energy efficient mortgage can also lead to savings.
Better Performance Properly installed energy-efficient improvements deliver better protection against cold, heat, drafts, moisture, pollution, and noise. An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures between and across rooms, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.
Smart Investment By the end of the decade, the homes that will earn the ENERGY STAR is expected to more than double from what it is today. The trend is clear. By choosing a home with the ENERGY STAR label, you can be confident that it will have an increasingly valued feature when the time comes to sell.
Environmental Protection Did you know that your home can be a greater source of pollution than your car? In fact, 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses nationwide. Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate.
Arvola Homes, Inc. | PO Box 727, 48 Oak Ave. Annandale, MN 55302 Phone: 320-274-7002 | Email: ryan@arvolahomes.com | License #20356734
The Structural Insulated Panel (SIPs), ENERGY STAR and Certified Green home builder and remodeler of choice in the areas of Albertville, Annandale, Avon, Becker, Big Lake, Buffalo, Clear Lake, Clearwater, Cokato, Cold Spring, Corcoran, Dassel, Dayton, Delano, Elk River, Greenfield, Hamel, Hanover, Howard Lake, Hutchinson, Independence, Kimball, Lester Prairie, Long Lake, Loretto, Maple Grove, Maple Lake, Maple Plain, Mayer, Medina, Minnetrista, Monticello, Montrose, New Germany, Orono, Otsego, Plymouth, Rockford, Rockville, Rogers, Sartell, Sauk Rapids, Silver Lake, St. Augusta, St. Cloud, St. Joseph, St. Michael, Waite Park, Watertown, Watkins, Waverly, Winsted, Benton County, Carver County, Hennepin County, McLeod County, Meeker County, Sherburne County, Stearns County, Wright County and surrounding areas in Central Minnesota and West Metro Twin Cities.
