Anyone have these “green” features on their home?
admin December 9th, 2009
Expecting Baby #3! asked:
We are getting ready to have a house built and one of the things that the company offers is a “green” package. Included in it is: Tech Shield Barrier, Low E windows, Spider Insulation and Tankless Hot Water Heater.
I was wondering if anyone had some or all of these things on their home and how much it saves you on utility bills? We live in South Carolina so we have the AC on most of the year and I am thinking that it wold really help us save money, but I don’t know anyone who has these features to ask. Can anyone give me an idea of how they have helped you? Do you have any of them and are they good or bad and why? Any help would be great!
We are military and will move in 3 years, we don’t have the time or money to buy a house that needs to be fixed up. My husband is gone 10 days a month for trips so it’s not realistic for us to buy a house that is a fixer-uper.
Earlene
We are getting ready to have a house built and one of the things that the company offers is a “green” package. Included in it is: Tech Shield Barrier, Low E windows, Spider Insulation and Tankless Hot Water Heater.
I was wondering if anyone had some or all of these things on their home and how much it saves you on utility bills? We live in South Carolina so we have the AC on most of the year and I am thinking that it wold really help us save money, but I don’t know anyone who has these features to ask. Can anyone give me an idea of how they have helped you? Do you have any of them and are they good or bad and why? Any help would be great!
We are military and will move in 3 years, we don’t have the time or money to buy a house that needs to be fixed up. My husband is gone 10 days a month for trips so it’s not realistic for us to buy a house that is a fixer-uper.
Earlene
- Green Clean Home
- Comments(7)
Robert
The only one I know much about is the tankless water heater. They do save money since the water only gets heated when you use it, however it takes a few seconds to get going and get hot water to where you need it.
Wilmer
my walls are painted green … does that count?
Randell
I have extra insulation and the low E windows in my home. I am not sure of the saving because that is how the home was built. I can tell you when I stand in front of those windows there is MUCH less change in temperature than there was in my old home. You will also get some tax breaks for using energy saving materials when it comes to tax time. I have heard good things about tank less water heaters. I am all electric so the tank less wasn’t an option but from what I understand it is worth it.
Add: If you want to truly be green, buy an existing home and up grade it. That would take less materials and resources.
Mae
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Mona
the tech shield will lower your AC costs and up your heating costs. Since you live in the south, you will be ahead. Spider insulation is a trade name and its good, just that you don’t get all the extra savings for what you pay extra for, its ok.
Low E(mission) windows are nice. again because you are in the south they work better. Up north we need the heats rays to keep us warm, so to low e windows are bad, instead we want double pane with a higher e rating.
Tankless is nice, but again a high insulated regular tank outside is okay, the tankless also encourages LONG SHOWERS because you never run out of hot water.
Brandon
If your not going to be staying long, and in a hot climate most of the time, reflective insulation is a good idea – as this will reduce your AC use. As for windows, they reflect IR too – so will keep heat in in winter, and cooler in the summer.
Make sure you have shades outside over sunny windows for most effect.
These benefits will also enable you to offer more of a package when selling too, so you won’t loose on the deal.
Keep your decor fairly neutral – so buyers think they can move in without major rework.
What you can do is establish a garden in the time you are there – using low maintenance shrubs and groundcover. This should be mature enough to look really good in 3 years.
Avis
If you live in a hot climate the low E windows should save you on your a/c bill, if the Tech Shield Barrier is a radiant barrieir, it is also likely to be worth the expense to save on a/c. Tankless is wonderful because you never run out of hot water and you aren’t reheating water that isn’t used.
If you are worried about recouping your investment you should save money on energy while you are living in the home and it should up your property value when you need to move.