Ence Homes Is Recognized With A 2011 High Performance Homes Leadership In Housing Award

Ence Homes earns award for building new homes that protect
the environment through energy efficiency
St. George, Utah – Ence Homes is pleased to announce that it 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 to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by building more than 100 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $44,700 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

  • Eliminating the emissions from 49 vehicles;
  • Saving 296,400 lbs of coal;
  • Planting 81 acres of trees; or
  • Saving the environment 581,300 pounds of CO2 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 20% more efficient than standard new homes built today.

“Every year home buyers become more energy conscious and in today’s market you can never save too much money. Since partnering with ENERGY STAR in 1999, we have helped our buyers save energy and money by lowering their utilities’” said Troy Ence.

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“While other builders may claim to build energy-efficient homes, ENERGY STAR builder partners back it up,” said Jonathan Passe, Acting Manager for EPA’s ENERGY STAR Residential Branch. “Their houses undergo a rigorous independent inspection and testing process to ensure that they deliver real efficiency, comfort, durability, and value for homebuyers.”

Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR and partners, Americans saved about $18 billion on their utility bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 33 million vehicles. Nearly 1.2 million ENERGY STAR homes have been built in the United States since the program first began labeling homes in 1995.

About ENCE HOMES Since 1957, Ence Homes has been designing and building quality, innovative, and energy efficient new homes in conveniently located neighborhoods throughout the Southern Utah. For more information about Ence Homes, visit encehomes.comor call 435-628-0936.

About ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 126,000 new homes were constructed to meet ENERGY STAR guidelines in 2010, by partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

How to Clean Wood Furniture

The first thought that probably comes to head reading this is, “I can just use pledge, do my normal clean tactics, and I am good.” Cleaning wood isn’t complicated but there are good ways to do it and not so great ways to do it.

  • cleaning-suppliesCleaning Supplies

 

  • If you want to use something different than pledge, get white vinegar and some olive oil. You will also need some water and a vacuum.

 

  • Prepare the area
    • You have to move things. There is nothing worse for wood than simply cleaning around the area that thing sits on. Move the TV, the picture frames, and the magazines from the area.
  • Vacuum-On-WoodVacuum

 

  • Get the dust off of where you are going to clean so that it doesn’t mix in with the other cleaning products. If necessary get a piece of cloth to remove any dust you can’t get with the vacuum.
  • Clean
    • Mix the white vinegar with water. DO NOT USE A DAMP RAG. Ring it out. Water can damage wood if it gets through the finish. By releasing the excess water you ensure the protection of the wood.
  • Polish
  • white_wine_vinegaAfter removing all moisture, mix the white vinegar and the olive oil and give the wood a nice shine. Test a small area of the wood to make sure you have a safe consistency.

How to Design Your Dream Home: Part 1

We live in a time of ease and personalization. We can basically get whatever we want when we want if we can afford it. There are so many homes out there that have parts of perfection, but none that are perfect. When designing a home it is important to do what you want so you can be happy. In part one we will discuss how to get ideas for designing your dream home.

1.Dream Big.

sunThis is all about you and what you want. Don’t start thinking about the costs of materials, the land, or any other tangible thing. Get lost in your own thoughts and the things that you will want in your dream home. ANYTHING GOES! Don’t get bogged down in impossibility, because dreams don’t deal with the impossible.

  1. Visit Different Neighborhoodsmap

They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but you aren’t here to flatter anyone! Remember this is for you. Going to other neighborhoods will show you what you love and what you hate. Paint jobs, design plans, and even the type of landscaping you would like. Don’t copy, reinvent.

  1. Attend open houseshome for sale

This is a great way to see the interior of homes; carpets, room arrangements, bathrooms etc. This is one way of seeing if what you have been thinking about doing is possible. Because of you see it in a home than it possible to do. (Remember the one restriction is that you must be in compliance with home building laws.

  1. Take Some Selfies

forWhen we say selfie we mean… the house by itself. The brain doesn’t remember things exactly how we first saw them the first time, but photos seem to remind of us of the truth. This will be an integral part of the first phase of home design because it starts to make the dream a reality and will help when part two begins.

 

How to stay cool this summer

Sometimes it just feels like we can’t get away from the heat. When you are at home, here are a few ways to keep the heat at bay.

Use your curtains during the day

curtainsOne of the best ways to keep the heat out of your home is to use your curtains. The curtains will block the heat from the sun and keep your house cool.

Swap for cotton linens

linensFlannel and fleece blankets are meant to keep the heat in. When you switch to cotton linens, you will be cool and refreshed.


Grill

bbqThink of the heat as perfect grilling weather and enjoy a meal outside. Using your stove or oven will only warm up your house even more.


We hope these tips will help you stay cool! If you are interested in customizing a home in southern Utah, please contact Ence Homes.

Traveling with children

Now that summer has arrived, it means it is time to soak in the sun and travel! Traveling with small children can be difficult at times, but we have four tips to help your trip run smoothly.

Let your child bring a backpack of essentials.

Before you hit the road, let your child bring a small backpack of their favorite items and snacks. This will keep them occupied while you are driving.

Capture memories.

Go to your local grocery store and buy a disposable camera for your little one. They will be able to take pictures of interesting things they see on the road and you can develop the pictures after the trip.

Watch movies.

What better way to keep your child occupied than playing their favorite movie? Better yet, bring a couple of their favorite movies so they can choose which one they would like to watch on the road.

Keep a first aid kit handy.

It is always better to come prepared. Just in case any injury occurs while on the road, it is nice to have a band aid or two in hand. Keep a first aid kit in the car.

We hope these travel tips are helpful! If you are making your way down to southern Utah, please stop by Ence Homes. Happy traveling!

Traveling with children

Now that summer has arrived, it means it is time to soak in the sun and travel! Traveling with small children can be difficult at times, but we have four tips to help your trip run smoothly.

Let your child bring a backpack of essentials.

Before you hit the road, let your child bring a small backpack of their favorite items and snacks. This will keep them occupied while you are driving.

kidCapture memories.

Go to your local grocery store and buy a disposable camera for your little one. They will be able to take pictures of interesting things they see on the road and you can develop the pictures after the trip.

cameraWatch movies.

What better way to keep your child occupied than playing their favorite movie? Better yet, bring a couple of their favorite movies so they can choose which one they would like to watch on the road.

caseKeep a first aid kit handy.

It is always better to come prepared. Just in case any injury occurs while on the road, it is nice to have a band aid or two in hand. Keep a first aid kit in the car.

 

first aid

 

We hope these travel tips are helpful! If you are making your way down to southern Utah, please stop by Ence Homes. Happy traveling!

4 Master Bedroom Decor Ideas

Your bedroom should feel like a place to escape from stress and just relax. Make your bedroom feel like an oasis with these master bedroom ideas.

4 Master Bedroom Decor Ideas

Seating in the bedroom.

Make your bedroom extra cozy with seating in the room. You can place a couch at the foot of the bed and add pillows to make it more comfortable. Or add a chair and curl up with your favorite book.

wall

 Gallery on bedroom wall.

Display some of your precious memories in your bedroom. Displaying pictures or art to your bedroom can add a personal touch.

 

 

his

 His and Her night stands.

Night stands come in handy for storage purposes. You can add a lamp on your nightstand and read a book in bed.

 

 

 

lighting

 

Add some lighting.

Brighten up your bedroom with an elegant chandelier. Not only will it add some lighting to the room, but it also is a pretty bedroom decoration.

 

IMG_6417We hope you enjoyed learning about how you can add some decor to your bedroom. If you have any questions about housing options in southern Utah, please feel free to contact us! Happy decorating!

 

Choose to live in an Ence Home community

Growing up in a residential community can give you a sense of belonging in your hometown. Here at Ence Homes, we believe in helping our clients find a perfect community for those who want a vacation or family home. Ence Homes offers several communities throughout southern Utah. Today we would like to highlight three Ence Home communities located in St. George, Utah and Ivins, Utah.

riversidesriverRiverside Cliffs is located in St. George, Utah and would be a great place to call home. This community is located near the world famous Zion National Park. Not only will you be surrounded by Zion’s breathtaking views, but you will also be near shopping centers. For those who like to be out and about, Riverside Cliffs is close to walking trails and golf courses. Lastly, all offered floor plans come with tile, granite, and nine foot ceilings.

willowswillowDesert Willow is a perfect community for those looking for a Tuscan or southwest-European home architecture. You can choose a single or two-story home up to 3,000 square feet. We offer 13 different floor plans for this community. Desert Willow is located near schools and parks which is perfect for families. This community is also near walking and biking trails for those who enjoy being out in nature. Come visit our model home today!

dessertsdessertDesert Rose is a lovely mountain community located in Ivins, Utah. We can’t get enough of these stunning mountain views from Red Mountain that surround this community and neither will you! As a resident, you will enjoy recreational activities like hiking and biking on nearby trails. This mountain community won’t disappoint!.

Like what you see? We invite you to visit our website to see all the communities we offer athttps://www.encehomes.com/information/find-a-community.php

How to save money on your electric bill

Now that summer is around the corner, it is time to enjoy the beautiful weather and spend time with your loved ones. But with the summertime often comes high electricity bills.

10 suggestions on how to save money on your electric bill this summer.

  1. Use your dishwasher. Load your dishwasher instead of washing the dishes by hand. You will save even more money by air drying your dishes in your dishwasher.
  2. Use your washer efficiently. When it is time to do your laundry, make sure you put a full load of clothes in the washer and wash with cold water.
  3. Use your dryer efficiently. Make to sure to clean the lint trap before adding your clothes to the dryer. You could even go a step further and skip the dryer all together. We suggest line drying your clothes whenever you get the chance.
  4. Unplug appliances/devices. Eliminate wasted energy by unplugging appliances and electronic devices when they are not in use in your home.
  5. Turn off your lights when you leave the room. Not only will turning off the lights save on electricity, but it will also eliminate the heat the bulbs give off.
  6. Replace the air conditioner filters in your home. When an air conditioner filter is dirty, it makes it harder for the cold air to flow throughout your home and the A/C will run longer than needed.
  7. Avoid using your oven on hot days. If you need to grill your food, we suggest grilling in your backyard or cooking on the stove.
  8. Use curtains in your home. By covering your windows with curtains, you can keep the sunlight from heating up your home and maintain a cooler temperature.
  9. Install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans make the room feel 4-6 degrees cooler, but make sure to turn it off when you leave the room.
  10. Turn up your thermostat when you are away from home. This will keep the air conditioner from running for long periods of time.

Well there you have it! We hope these tips can help you save a little extra money on your electric bill. Do you want an energy efficient home?

Contact Ence Homes and we can help you customize your dream home today!

5 simple ways to decorate your living room

Now that spring is here, it is time to start spring cleaning! More importantly, add lovely decor in your living room.

Five simple ways to decorate your living room without breaking the bank!

  1. Flowers. Add a little color to your living room and buy a bouquet of flowers in a colorful vase. The aroma from the flowers will be pleasant and inviting to your guests.
  2. tulipsPhoto gallery. Display your favorite pictures for everyone to see and walk down memory lane.. You can display an entire wall with framed pictures or keep it low key with a few of your favorites.
  3. couchsPaint your walls. Add a little color to your home and choose a paint color that complements your personality. Make your living room pop with a shade of yellow or keep it serene with blue.
  4. Display art work. Create your own masterpiece or display your favorite piece of art. Regardless of which option you go with, it is bound to catch attention and it will be a perfect whitecouchtouch to the bare walls.
  5. Add throw pillows. Make your living room bluecouch inviting to guests by adding throw pillows to the mix. Feel free to buy a few throw pillows at the store or pick out your favorite pattern to make them yourself!

pillows

We hope these tips can help you create a beautiful living room in your home. Here at Ence Homes, we put a lot of time and effort in creating homes that our customers are proud of. If you are interested in your very own Ence Home in St. George, UT or surrounding areas, please contact us at our office at 435-628-0936. Have a wonderful day and happy decorating!