If the walls of a new custom Florida home could talk, they wouldn’t tell you about their satiny shades of paint, or that the fun family-room mural was commissioned from a local artist.
No, they’d describe the thickness of the superior-grade insulation behind them, or how their precise construction produces an overall tighter building seal, which prevents air leakage and inflated power bills.
In today’s new homes, all those behind-the-studs components are as important as open floor plans, spa-like bathrooms and giant farm sinks in the kitchen. A home stocked with the latest energy-efficient appliances, mechanical and HVAC systems and building materials, represents a major upgrade in comfort and long-term value.
Read on to find out why you want an energy-efficient home.
How you build an energy-efficient home
You start with the best construction materials. Then you add top-notch techniques and crafts people. Builders like ICI Homes prioritize efficient, earth-friendly homes. We already have those basic premises built — pardon our pun — into the process.
You know your new custom Florida home will contain state-of-the-art insulation, window glass, and storm code-mandated extras such as roofing reinforcement. These quality components translate into money saved and interior comfort and security.
Here’s what to look for: a new home’s RESNET HERS rating. Without losing you to a mathematical explanation, it’s a sum of construction materials and techniques that produce a well-built, energy-efficient home. In ICI Homes’ case, a third-party energy rating service — Skyetec — inspects new homes twice, once during construction and once construction is done.
Those inspection results are sent to the Florida Solar Energy Center, a RESNET Accredited Rating Provider, who officially certifies them. The lower your new home’s HERS rating, the more energy efficient it is. Per the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical new home has a HERS rating of 100. Resales average around 130. If your new home is certified at 40, throw a party!
How you stock an energy-efficient home
You can pitch in by maintaining the compact florescent lighting that we install, and using the programmable thermostats that automatically save money without you realizing it.
How ICI Homes does it
Our homes are energy misers!
We build EQ Factor homes, which feature energy-efficient systems and certifications. Plus, we use specific building techniques to create environmentally-friendly homes from the ground up. Many of the latter are listed above. A few more include installing 15 SEER HVAC systems, which are powerful and efficient, and using non-stinky paint, plus carpet made from recycled fibers. Want more information on our EQ Factor process? Fill out the form above and get a brochure sent to your inbox.
You start with the best construction materials. Then you add top-notch techniques and crafts people. Builders like ICI Homes prioritize efficient, earth-friendly homes. We already have those basic premises built — pardon our pun — into the process.
