It doesn’t matter how you arrive at your decision to build an energy-efficient home. However, it can be difficult to approach the design. Your perfect spot may be found, but planning permission might require that yourSelf-Build home be environmentally-friendly. Where do you begin? Perhaps you’ve been enticed by a discounted mortgage rate for environmentally-friendly Self Builds –Let’s dig more into the topic.
1. Is It Cheaper To Build Or Buy A House?
Building a home might seem cheaper than refitting an existing structure to meet your expectations. In reality, the difference might not be so vast.
Costs Of Building A Home
If your primary focus is on the initial cost of building a house, it can be cheaper than buying one. This is especially true if you take steps to reduce construction costs, and do not include custom finishes. According to HomeAdvisor, the median sale price of an existing house was $353,900 in October 2021. The average cost of building one is $283,130.
However, don’t let this fool you. It is still very costly to build a house. You will need a permit and a loan. It can cost more to build a house than it costs to buy one, depending on the location in Pennsylvania and the type of home you choose.
Costs Of Buying A Home
It might be obvious that the cost to buy a home is set by the seller. This price will be what you pay with cash or a mortgage. However, the truth is that things can get more complicated when you consider that you may have to pay more for a home in a more competitive market.
Costs of purchasing a home include:
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Downpayment
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Closing Costs (including any Mortgage Points, an application fee or an origination charge ).
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Mortgage insurance
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Homeowners Insurance
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Property taxes
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HOA Fees
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Home renovations or upgrades
2. Must-haves When Building An Energy-efficient Home
To make the most efficient home designs, new home builders and owners must pay close attention to all details of construction, including the roof, foundation, and every component in between. Smart features, both internal and structural, are key to making energy-efficient houses cost-effective.
More Insulation Than Required By Code
The R-value or minimum insulation required for a house depends on its location, type and size of heating and cooling systems, as well as the areas that need to be insulated and the state and local building codes. According to 2018, IECC, R-values of wood-frame walls in all eight climate zones are between 13 and 20. R-values of mass walls vary from 3 to 21.
Many of today’s homebuyers ( 63%) want an energy-efficient home that meets or exceeds the R-values codes. Fox Blocks ICF wall system is a great option for new home builders. Fox Blocks have an R-value of 23 which is higher than the R-value requirements to build mass and wood walls in all climate zones.
Energy Star® Certification
In 2019, Energy Starr Certified Whole Homes was the most desired feature among millennials. A certified Energy Star house will achieve at least 10% greater energy efficiency than houses constructed from code.
A 2019 NAHB survey – What Home buyers Really Want – Millennials are more interested in Energy Star(r),-Rated appliances than any other green or efficient home features. 44% consider appliances that are desirable while 31% consider them a Must-Have when designing an energy-efficient house. ENERGY STAR appliances are more cost-effective and have lower energy consumption resulting in reduced PECO bills in Pennsylvania.
Smart Home Devices
Smart home products can be integrated into the design of energy-efficient homes to help homeowners save money, energy, and make their homes safer. Motion sensors, programmable thermostats and CO2 alarms are some of the most common smart home products that can be used to make your home more energy-efficient.
Ventilation
An energy recovery ventilation unit is required to ensure that houses are energy-efficient and airtight. Ventilation control in a home is essential to ensure that pollutants such as radon, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds do not get trapped within the house. An energy recovery ventilation system regulates ventilation. It reduces energy losses by transferring energy from conditioned to fresh air. High-performance homes require EVRs to condition and circulate fresh air, remove water laden from cooking and bathing, and remove moisture.
Bottom Line
The millennial generation is the largest group of home buyers. Young adults are looking for energy-efficient homes that will save them money while increasing the safety and comfort of their families. Millennials want to reduce their energy consumption and protect the environment. New energy-efficient homes built by contractors must meet today’s buyer requirements.
