Next Generation Homes

New advances mean much better homes with lower costs

Home Work - The case for energy-efficient new homes
by Gary Dymski, Newsday, February 17, 2005

We are building the wrong kinds of houses.

Last month, while researching a story on energy- efficient home building ("Warming Up to Energy-Efficient Houses," Jan. 20), dozens of experts convinced me we can change the way we build houses.

The new methods range from subtle, such as passive solar design and framing with structural insulated panels, to advanced, such as using rooftop photovoltaic modules for converting the sun's rays to electricity and constructing exterior walls with insulated concrete forms.

To make the right kinds of houses, new-home builders and new-home buyers need to adjust. The former should be using improved technology and materials to provide more energy- efficient structures; the latter should be demanding that their most significant investment reduce and conserve energy.

Why? It is naive to think because these changes in approach and attitude will save money and benefit the environment that Americans will act quickly. Tract building of energy-efficient new housing is at least 10 years away, experts say, because builders and buyers are set in their ways.

Today, the most important reason for energy-efficient building is because more than ever before it can be done for nearly the same cost as the homesnow being constructed.

Depending on the methods, energy-efficient new housing translates into using less lumber, relying less on depleting gas and oil resources and improving water and air quality. Houses can be designed to produce a large portion of their own energy.

The myth that building energy-efficient homes is far too expensive is eroding. Yes, making existing homes considerably more energy efficient is labor intensive and often extremely costly. This is why pushing for change rests with the builders and buyers of new homes.

"It makes more and more sense to build new with energy usage as a major or the major concern," said Peter Caradonna, a Setauket architect and chairman of the Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Like most proponents of energy-efficient buildings, Caradonna believes a major issue is priorities.

Consumers choose to spend their money on three-car garages, granite countertops and other aesthetics instead of energy-saving options. That's part of it, but there are other reasons why less than 1 percent of the million or so new homes built annually in the United States are classified as zero-energy structures.

"I find that people simply don't know there are other ways to build," said Gordian Raacke, executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island, a nonprofit promoting clean, sustainable energy use. "Education also is an issue."

Another problem is the nature of the American builder. "Builders don't see a need to change when consumers are buying what they are building," said Bob Wiebolt of the Long Island Builders Institute. By nature, industry experts say, builders are comfortable using familiar materials and procedures they trust and understand.

Consumers, then, should take the initiative. The money we spend on new-home extras should be reapportioned to energy features.

And here's the reason: Building a better-insulated house featuring passive solar design, photovoltaic modules and energy-saving appliances can reduce annual energy consumption by as much as 90 percent, experts say. There is an upfront cost, of course, but it is no longer unreasonable.

Many critics claim that constructing an energy-efficient house can run 20 percent more to build than the average new one. Proponents counter that the upfront cost is more like 10 to 15 percent, with rebates and tax incentives driving down the cost even more.

"There are growing trends in new construction and remodeling that will include solar features," said Brad Collins, executive director of the American Solar Energy Society. "The pioneer era is behind us."

As a two-time new-home buyer, I believe the future should include investing in renewable energy features at the time of construction. The added costs of installing rooftop solar panels and using alternative framing methods then would be included in the mortgage. A slightly higher mortgage will be offset by savings in utility bills. Over time, these savings can be substantial.

Also, paybacks on money spent for energy-saving features start immediately. Each month, a homeowner's energy bill is a fraction of normal costs.

In their defense, new-home builders are providing some energy-savings packages, including Energy Star appliances and upgrades on insulation, windows, doors, and heating and cooling equipment. But these packages, available on Long Island, address mostly energy consumption.

Nationwide, very few new-home builders offer renewable energy options or alternatives to wood framing.

It is time for a change.

With thanks to Gary Dymski and Newsday for an excellent article. For the complete article and others related to it, contact Newsday. Copyright (c) 2005, Newsday, Inc.

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