Homebuilders make energy efficiency a priority

When you buy a car, the window sticker tells you what your gas mileage will be. A partnership between Tennessee’s Realtors and the federal Department of Energy aims to make that sort of information available for homeowners.

“It’s like MPG for your house. You want to know what it costs for a year. That’s sticker information,” said Pat Beech, president of the Tennessee Association of Realtors.

Realtors in Tennessee and other states have joined forces with the Department of Energy (DOE) to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency. The partnership makes energy information — such as the benefits of adding insulation — more available to anyone buying a house and expands existing upgrade programs.

“This important program gives a boost to energy efficiency in Tennessee by expanding awareness of homes’ energy performance as part of the homebuying process,” said Beech, a Realtor in Memphis.

The program should help older homes perform more like new houses, which often are significantly more energy efficient and cheaper to heat and cool. Beech called it a way the owner of an older house “can bring their home into the 21st century.”

Energy efficiency and saving money were on Maria Routh’s mind when she and her husband Eli Routh purchased their Regent Homes townhome in Brentwood. Their 2,000-square-foot home is twice the size of her old apartment but costs less to heat and cool.

“I was actually shocked to get our first electric bill. It was so much cheaper,” she said.

Their three-story townhome has separate thermostats on each level, which allows the Rouths to precisely control the temperature. Their electric bill, including lights and air conditioning, runs around $80 a month. Their gas bill, including heating and their gas stove, averages $20.

Knowing that they would save money every month encouraged the couple to make the decision to invest in a home.

“It’s my first home and it’s scary, the most expensive thing I’ll ever buy. Any way I can save money makes it less scary, and it’s nice to do something that helps the environment,” said Maria Routh.

Regent Homes estimates that its new homes are on average 30 percent more energy efficient than a typical older home, said David McGowan, the company’s president.

Regent uses LP TechShield roofing, which keeps attics cooler. The company contracts with Nashville-based E3 Innovate to conduct a “blower door” test to measure how airtight each house is. Regent also seals and conditions crawl spaces

“Buyers are so well educated, efficiency is very important. And builders compete against each other,” said McGowan.

The Jones Co., which builds homes across the Nashville region, also uses radiant barrier roofing and conducts blower door tests. The company also installs Low-E windows to help keep temperatures steady.

“Hot and cold are the big energy vampires,” said Jen Lucy, director of sales for the Jones Co.

Other “next tech” ideas include all-LED lighting and continuous ridge vent attic ventilation, she said.

“It’s becoming more expected that your energy bills are going to be lower,” said Lucy.

Goodall Homes began adding energy-saving features to all of its homes a year ago, including LP TechShield and extra insulation. The company opened what it calls its Energy Room in Gallatin’s Carellton subdivision to give buyers a behind-the-walls look. The response was so enthusiastic that Goodall is building Energy Rooms at the Millstone subdivision in Hendersonville and StoneBridge in Lebanon.

“People are logical. They see it will save them money. And an energy-efficient home is good for the environment,” said Todd Reynolds, Goodall’s director of sales.

Builders including Celebration Homes, Beazer Homes, Ryan Homes and others have energy-efficiency programs of their own.

For buyers of existing resale homes, the most important consideration is still the overall condition of the house, said Realtor Larry Lipman, who heads The Lipman Group Sotheby’s International Realty.

“In the higher price range, most buyers don’t ask as long as everything’s in working order,” he said. “At $700,000 and under, I do get some interest” in energy savings.

Beech, the head of the Realtors association, expects interest to keep growing as homeowners look for ways to save on their utility bills.

“Our winters are getting colder and our summers are getting hotter,” she said. “Our utility bills are going up.”