Energy Efficient Ideas to Improve Your Home


St. George is moving forward with an Energy Efficient Home movement, and Ence Homes is leading the way in this practice. Ence Homes has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2011 Energy Star Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution Ence Homes has made in energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 100 Energy Star qualified homes last year. Click here for more info on Ence Homes Green Homes in St. George.

However, for simple, short-term ways to save energy in your home, here are some ideas to make your home more energy efficient throughout the year.

Get a programmable thermostat

Programmable thermostats are a must in modern homes, not only for their convenience, but for saving energy and reducing cost. Time your thermostat to only kick on the AC or heating during certain hours of the day, when you know it will benefit you the most. Set it to turn off during the night or when you’re away for work. If you’re leaving for vacation, set the thermostat to 55 degrees to save on energy but to keep the pipes from freezing.

Seal and insulate

Adding insulation and sealing your home properly can save hundreds on your heating and cooling bill every year. If you live in an older home, there’s a good chance you could be losing money throughout the year – especially during the winter. If your heater is constantly running, try sealing doors and windows to prevent warm air from escaping. Insulation is equally important. Try re-insulating specific areas in the house that fluctuate between drastic temperatures, failing to retain a specific temperature. Installing more attic insulation can make a huge difference throughout the entire house.

Energy efficient appliances

There are countless options for energy efficient home goods for the kitchen, laundry room, and more. Energy efficient appliances are increasing in popularity, and while they cost more up front, they save you money over time by using less energy, water, etc. Consider replacing the appliances in your house – even if it’s one by one – with energy efficient appliances that look great, save you money, and take up less natural resources.

  • Energy Star refrigerators are 20% more efficient.
  • Energy Star dishwashers are about 10% more efficient.
  • Energy Star washing machines use 50% less water and 30% less energy, which can save about $50 per year.
  • Energy Star fans used in bathrooms and above stoves use 70% less energy.

Install a water-saving showerhead

Water saving shower heads can save gallons of water every shower, resulting in massive amounts of saved water per year and a significantly lower water bill.

Energy efficient lighting

Along with energy efficient appliances, one of the factors in our homes that take up the most energy is lighting. This can be even more so in the winter, when the sun sets early and we have significantly less sunlight to light our homes and offices during the day time. When shopping for light bulbs, look for the Energy Star label. Start with the most used light fixtures in your home – like in the kitchen and bathrooms – to save a minimum of $60 a year. Consider installing dimming switches, which use less energy at a low setting.

Take advantage of natural lighting

Not only should you replace your bulbs with energy efficient fixtures, take as much advantage of natural lighting as possible. Consider replacing dark drapes or curtains with minimalistic blinds to keep out the sun and the heat during the summer, and to bring in as much light and warmth during the winter as possible. More windows means less time that the light switch is in the on position. You can also consider installing skylights as a more intensive project to maximize the amount of sunlight you get in your home. Paint your walls light colors to optimize that light and to make spaces appear larger.

Use strategic landscaping

Not all energy efficient improvements happen inside the home – optimize your energy bill using your yard, as well. Plant trees, bushes, vegetation, etc., close to your home. This provides natural insulation, especially during the summer, when trees shade your home and help keep the sun off the exterior of your house.

Take care of your heating and furnace

Check your furnace filter regularly – every month or so during the cold months of the year – and if you have an older furnace, check it even more frequently. Get an annual check on your heating system to make sure its working properly and to make sure it’s running efficiently, without wasting your money. This is also a good safety precaution, to keep your home safe and prevent fires or malfunctions with the heating system.

Install more ceiling fans, and take advantage of the ones you already have

While ceiling fans still use energy, they take far less energy than your AC unit. In fact, a ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a typical light bulb. Switching to ceiling fans and using your AC minimally can save you money on your bill during the summer.

For washing and drying clothes…

Use cold water to wash your clothes, and use the dryer on loads that are completely full. During warmer months, consider drying your clothes outside on a clothesline. As mentioned above, there’s a wide variety of energy and water-efficient washers and dryers to consider investing in.

Fix leaky faucets

Another way to save small amounts of water that adds up over time is by checking all the water fixtures in your house and yard on a regular basis. Fix leaking pipes or faucets as quickly as possible to save water.

Keep the garage door closed

While it’s easy to leave the garage door open and is habitual for most people, keep your garage door closed as often as possible. No matter what time of year it is, the heat (or cold, if it’s in the summer) can escape from your home and overwork your AC or furnace. With the garage being less-insulated than the rest of your house, and directly attached to it, it can affect the temperature of your entire house.

For more info and ideas on energy efficient homes, visit Energy-Efficient Home Design | Department of Energy

Benefits of Ence Green Building

Ence Homes is invested in building quality and energy efficient new homes for sale in St. George, UT. There are many benefits to choosing a Green Home by Ence.

More money

Investing in an energy efficient home will leave you with more money in your piggy bank. Your home will use less energy from your hot water heating, cooling and heating systems subsequently saving homeowners around $200 to $400 per year on your utility bills.

Healthy family

Green Homes are intended to leave your family healthier. They improve the air quality and decrease chemical toxins in your home such as dust, dust mites, pollen, dirt and mold. By living in an Ence Home you’ll be able to spend more time enjoying your new homes for sale in St. George, UT rather than recovering from a cold.

Cozy living

Your custom or move-in-ready home will be more comfortable to live in because of the properly installed insulation in your floors and walls. This will keep the noise out and provide even temperatures throughout your home.

Better environment

With less energy you’re new homes for sale in St. George, UT will emit less pollution creating a better environment.

Durable home

An Ence Home will last longer and will require less maintenance due its quality construction. Your high-performance windows will keep your furniture, flooring and accessories vibrant in color from less sun damage and the properly sealed ducts will help to eradicate bugs, drafts and moisture.

These are just some of the amazing benefits onEnceGreenBuilding. Consult a representative to learn more.

Top 10 Reasons to Build an Ence Home

Here are the top 10 reasons you should build an Ence Home.

  1. Experience – Jay and Quentin Ence founded Ence Homes with a dream of building quality new homes. Since their founding in 1957, the Ence family has been creating quality homes for sale in St. George, UT andMesquite,NV. We pride ourselves on being family oriented, honest and possessing great value.
  1. Quality construction – Ence Homes takes satisfaction in quality construction of your home from the materials used to construct your home to the subcontractors hired to help build them to ensure your home lasts a lifetime.
  1. Choices – Ence Homes offers a wide range of choices with their floor plans to suit the needs of your family from their custom homes to move-in ready home.
  1. Open communication – Communication is essential to any relationship. With Ence Homes you’ll know what’s happening throughout every step of the way.
  1. Customer service – We’ll listen to our customers throughout the home building process to ensure building an Ence Homes will leave you with the home of your dreams the exact way you envisioned it. We serve to please our customers from conception to completion of your home and beyond.
  1. Warranty – Committed to our customers, each home also comes with a 10-year warranty.
  1. Energy efficient – From water-efficient, energy-efficient, resource-efficient to indoor air quality features, Ence Homes are Green Homes. Your homes for sale in St. George, UT is at least 20% more energy efficient than those built to the 2004 International Residential Code.
  1. Innovation – Ence Homes has always been a trendsetter and were amongst the first homebuilders nationwide to build their homes to the standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program.
  1. Customer satisfaction – Ence Homes customers are satisfied with the process of building their home and the results of their beautiful homes for sale in St. George, UT and Mesquite, NV. Click here to view testimonials from customers.
  1. Awards – Ence Homes is a recognized leader in homebuilding and has been winning awards for over a decade. In recent years, Ence Homes has been awarded: the 2011 winner of the ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Awards, 2010 recipient of the Builder Member of the Year and 2009 Builder’s Magazine Biggest Builder award and ENEREGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award.

Energy Saving Tips for Winter Months

Here are ten energy saving tips that you can use during these winter months at your St. George new home.

  • Maintain your heating system by cleaning it and getting it inspected yearly. You should also clean or change your furnace filters once a month. Doing these things help your units run more efficiently and can help save you money on your heating bill.
  • Set your thermostat to 68 degrees when you are at your Ence Homes and to about 60 degrees when you’re sleeping or gone for the day. Wear a sweater or use throw blankets to keep warm as well.
  • Allow the sunshine to radiate your St. George new home by opening your curtains and shades. Remember to close them at night to keep the heat in.
  • Position your furniture and drapes away from your vents so your rooms are being heated to the fullest.
  • Turn off the bath fan to make certain the heat doesn’t get sucked out of your residence after you’ve taking a bath or a shower.
  • Install in a low-flow showerhead to save your heated water. You may also want to cut back on your shower time.
  • Turn down your water heater to 120 degrees to save money on your energy bill.
  • Plug your electronics into a power strip and turn the switch off on your power strip when those electronics aren’t in use.
  • Install motion sensors, dimmers and automatic times in your home to help conserve energy.
  • Close the doors in your home to ensure you aren’t heating unoccupied rooms.

Hopefully by following these energy saving tips you’ll be able to save money, stay warm and enjoy the winter months at your St. George new home.

 

Energy Star Rating

Ence Homes recently received the 2011 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In order to qualify for an ENERGY STAR rating, a home must meet energy efficiency standards set by the EPA. And though Ence Homes is pleased about receiving this award, we’re even happier for what it means for our Mesquite, NV homes for sale homebuyers.

 Money Saver  – Money will be saved by purchasing an ENERGY STAR qualified home. All together, Ence Homes customers will save $44,700 per year on utility bills. You’ll be able to put aside money for gadgets, trinkets, birthdays, gatherings, backyard barbecues or family vacations. 

Soothing Quiet – Your home is your haven and at your Mesquite, NV homes for sale you’ll be able to get plenty of rest, relaxation and comfort. As an Ence Homes homebuyer, your home will feature energy saving efficient insulation systems and high performance windows that reduce noise, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment that will keep your home warm during the winter months and cool during the summer.

Not only will you get all the features of a new home but ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer useful energy-saving features that have third-party verification of energy performance. As you consider buying a Mesquite, NV homes for sale, remember all the wonderful features that will benefit your home and your pockets while contributing to the environment by avoiding greenhouse gas emissions.