Net Energy Home – Cincinnati Homearama 2012
Posted By Carolyn on May 12, 2012
Carolyn Rolfes tells us how the are accomplishing the net energy home for Cincinnati Homearama 2012
How to Find a Builder that Builds Energy Efficient Homes
Posted By Carolyn on May 5, 2012
Choosing the right builder for your energy efficient home project can be a real challenge. Heck, just finding a reliable person for a regular project who is able to deliver what they promise can be a hassle. But it is a task that can be accomplished. As with most projects, you want to look to a person or company that has a reputation for doing high quality work. In the realm of energy efficient structures, things like properly installing insulation, sealing air ducts and preventing conditioned indoor air from escaping, all play a pivotal role, but most importantly they boil down to good building practices.
Down to the business of how to choose a builder that really knows how to build energy efficient. Start by searching for a builder who is committed to EnergyStar building performance. EnergyStar is a US EPA certification program you can count on. EnergyStar homes are typically 20-30% or more energy efficient than other new homes and can be more than 50% more efficient than an existing older home. You can find an EnergyStar builder by visiting www.EnergyStar.gov
Another resource that you may want to explore is the US Green Building Council. The USGBC has a program called LEED certification that certifies green homes and requires intensive third party certification. Find out more by visiting www.USGBC.org
You can even look to your local chapter of the Home Builders Association (HBA).. These people are the real experts on choosing a professional that knows how to build green homes. The National Association of Home Builders has its own green building certification program that, like LEED, requires intensive third party verification. You can find out more at www.NAHBGreen.org
Meet the team that will be doing the work on your house. Ask if the crew has received training that is relevant to energy efficient building. Ask about the company’s previous clients and see if they were satisfied with the services they received. Try to get a feel of the builder, and don’t forget to take notice of the simpler things, such as suggestions and the general feeling you get about them. With these tips, you should be well on your way to having your energy efficient home constructed in no time.
Tips for Changing to a Green Home for Family Living
Posted By Carolyn on April 28, 2012
Changing to a Green Home is easy with these tips. We live in a world that is powered by electricity, and the problem with that, is that it is taking a toll on our environment. Although we all are guilty of using the environment in a way that may be destroying it, it’s never too late to change the way we live.
More and more, people are discovering a whole new world when it comes to living green. Living green may sound like a clichéd word, but living a life that is green helps the earth to rejuvenate. If you are someone that is ready to make a change, and want to know how to live a greener life, follow these rules, and make the change.
Living green can start with simply visiting your local hardware store. You will be able to find information on a number of green living objects.
One of the most popular ways that people make their home greener is by using LED light bulbs. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are solid light bulbs, which are extremely energy-efficient. LED light bulbs lower your energy bill, and use less power than a normal light bulb. Or you could choose CFL lights (compact florescent light bulbs). CFLs are an excellent source of energy-efficient lighting, but they are not always the best choice for all lighting applications. You can find a comparison chart of LED and CFL light bulbs at Earth Easy. Saving energy and money can be as easy as changing a light bulb. This might make the decision a little easier, especially when you can get free CFLs from Duke Energy.
Another great tip to changing to a green home is to audit your appliances. Believe it or not, your appliances could be sucking the life out of your home, and by replacing those appliances with energy efficient ones, you can cut the cost of your energy bill in half. If you’re not sure how to audit your appliances, you can hire a professional to come out your home, and he or she will let you know what appliances are using the most energy.
You can improve those energy costs by doing some routine maintenance, such as cleaning your refrigerator coils every six months. As dust accumulates on the condenser coils on the rear or bottom of the fridge, it restricts cool-air flow and forces the unit to work harder and longer than necessary.
Duke Energy offers a program called Super Saver Program that will pay you a rebate if you install new qualifying appliances or heating and cooling equipment in your home. When a participating heating dealer or builder installs a new qualifying high efficiency system(s) in your home, the dealer or builder will submit an application for your rebate.
Solar panels are also another great way to save on your energy bill, and make your home green. You can install enough solar panels to offset your entire electricity bill or just a portion of it. To get them installed, you can hire a professional, and he or she will perform an energy audit and show you what kind of return on investment you will get by installing solar panels on your roof. . We like Eco Environments because they know solar and heating and cooling equipment (www.Ecoenvironments.com)
Living green is easy, it doesn’t take sacrificing your life or time, and with just a few purchases, you can have a home that is green and easy on your wallet.
Or, you can start from the ground up by building a green home. Potterhill Homes is currently building a net zero home in the 50th Cincinnati Homearama. Stop by and talk to one of our consultants about building your own green home. Our net zero homes will allow you to help save the planet and your money.
ENERGY STAR for Homes Leadership in Housing Award
Posted By Carolyn on April 21, 2012
We were honored to be recognized for our commitment to providing our nation’s homebuyers with ENERGY STAR certified homes, earning the 2012 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes organization’s
work in promoting energy efficient construction and helping to protect the environment through its partnership with
ENERGY STAR.
Despite the downturn in the housing market, it is clear that both home builders and home buyers are continuing to invest in high performing homes. To date, more than 1.3 million ENERGY STAR certified homes have been built – with more than 127,000 constructed in 2011. All of this is thanks to the hard work and dedication by more than 5,400 active ENERGY STAR for New Homes partners!
Last year alone, with the help of ENERGY STAR and partners, Americans saved nearly $400 million on their utility bills, and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of more than 510,000 vehicles.
This year, EPA is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program. For two decades, ENERGY STAR has helped millions of Americans and thousands of businesses save energy, save money, and protect the climate. Over the past 20 years, Americans, with help from ENERGY STAR, have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Leadership in Housing Awardee page lists all of the recipients of this year’s award.
To see one of our Net Zero Energy homes be sure to see us at the 50th Anniversay of Homearama.
Dancing With the HBA
Posted By Carolyn on April 18, 2012
Just like “Dancing with the Stars”, this “Dancing with the HBA” event will feature Homebuilders Association members paired up with professional dancers from the Arthur Murray School of Dance. It’s a charity event raising money for the HBA Charitable Foundation. The Foundation supports organizations like the Children’s Heart Association and Habitat for Humanity. Potterhill Homes’ very own Carolyn Rolfes has volunteered to dance at this event- being held on April 24.
If you want to support Carolyn or if you just want to support the Charitable Foundation- check out this flyer for info on how you can help! Grab the flyer to learn more.
Carolyn has been paired with a professional dancer and will be performing the “Cha-Cha” at the upcoming event on Tuesday of next week (April 24). She has had 7 lessons so far with only 2 to go. The pressure is ON!
The only way she can win is her dancing (she thinks this is unlikely), but she can win if you support her! You can vote for Carolyn 2 ways- either online or in person at the event.
Please cast a vote for Carolyn you can download the instructions here.
About Potterhill Homes
Cincinnati-based Potterhill Homes is a premier builder of affordable, environmentally friendly homes in Greater Cincinnati. Our homes are built with traditional Cincinnati architectural styles and are perfect for both urban infill and suburban development. To learn more about Potterhill Homes,visit www.potterhillhomes.com.
About the authors
Carolyn
As the people behind Potterhill Homes, we have some pretty strong feelings about energy efficiency and green building. And we don't always agree! But we are commited to building a best homes we can and bringing you along on our journey to figure out exactly what that means! Thanks for checking out our site.
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