energybuilder

I am a 20 year custom builder that recently passed his HERS exam I am in favor of providing a sticker showing the energy preformance of a home. If someone wants to build to minimum codes, that is their right. I just don't want them to be able to represent to a buyer that because there house is new, it is as effecient as any other new home. If you compare 10 new homes of 3,000sf in the same climate you may get a variation of $2,000 a year or more in energy costs that should be factored into purchasing decisions. Builders are a traditional lot and don't like to be told there is a better way to build something. I myself look back at some beautiful new homes I've built over the years that contained many energy mistakes. It's time to swallow our pride and be willing to look at new ideas. In terms of the rating sticker, the software is a remarkably powerful predictor of costs. It looks at every factor of a home related to heat and cooling load including window sizes and direction, amount of shading, color of roof and siding, climate where a house is built, duct leakage, ducts in attic or conditioned space, as well as thousands of other variables affecting fuel use. Have your product tested, if it's not measuring up, educate yourself and your subs on new techniques to improve.