Of the nearly 4,000 home buyers recently surveyed by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for its homebuyer preferences research, 94 percent included Energy Star appliances in their list of most wanted home features or characteristics, and 91 percent listed Energy-Star rating for the whole house.
Energy-Efficiency Features in Homebuyers’ Most-Wanted List
Energy Star-rated appliances — 94% of respondents
Energy Star rating for the whole house — 91%
Energy Star-rated windows — 89%
Ceiling fans — 88%
Other Features in Homebuyers’ Most-Wanted List
Laundry room — 93% of respondents
Exhaust fan in the bathroom — 90%
Exterior lighting — 90%
Garage storage — 89%
Table space for eating in the kitchen — 85%
Walk-in kitchen pantry — 85%
The NAHB report also said that most homebuyers want energy-efficient features, not so much because of the desire to help the environment, but mostly to save on household energy costs, while keeping most comfortable features of a house. Sixty-seven percent of respondents said they were concerned about the impact of homes on the environment but would not spend more money to mitigate any negative impact. HVAC systems play the same role commercially and industrially as they do in residential settings. Of course, the nature and the size of the system differ from what you have in your house, but the aim is more or less same. Industries, factories and offices need to keep all the employees warm and cozy in days of winter and cool during the scorching summers. Since commercial systems cater to a huge number of people, the system they require should be just as huge.
Huge commercial systems are not only for the employees and employers, the HVAC system is required to keep products in good condition and to efficiently use the resources of the boiler, furnace, chillers, cooling towers, automation system etc. HVAC systems in industrial and commercial buildings vary in size and design and this is why it’s essential to hire a team of professionals who have been dealing in this sector in the past. They should be able to come up with replacement solutions, custom made systems, as well as energy saving measures. They should have proper skills to understand your requirements and devise a plan that is the right fit for your business.
Some designs are more complex and are designed for multiples zones or large areas; others are relatively simpler systems and are mainly used for a single zone. Some designs at first are simple enough but require modifications with time and it therefore depends on the nature of the business.
In a conventional industrial HVAC system, there is an air intake right on the top of the building that allows the air to enter. This air is then pushed through the dampers by atmospheric pressure that restricts the amount of air coming in. Air that has already passed this stage mixes with the new air and together, they go through the very first filter that is responsible to remove large particles such as dust, leaves, bugs or trash. Every year summer comes around, and starts to get really hot outside. It can become so hot that it’s becomes hard to deal with. It seems like there is no way to escape the blazing sun. However, one great way to solve this problem is to buy an Aircon. It’s a great way to make a house much more comfortable when those hot days come around. It’s really great to own one, but it’s important for people to do their research for doing so.
It is easy to take for granted that your HVAC system is running properly. You may think that since you don’t notice any immediate issue with your furnace or air conditioner that your HVAC system is operating correctly. This, however, may not be the case. Don’t put off your annual HVAC inspection and service. Without the routine visit by an HVAC service technician, your furnace or air conditioner could lose efficiency and begin to operate inefficiently. Problems that could’ve otherwise been caught will be allowed to grow and cause damage to your HVAC unit, shortening its lifespan.
The most important reason why you should take measures to have your furnace and air conditioner serviced is for safety. Natural gas and oil HVAC systems burn fossil fuel, which can produce harmful byproducts like carbon monoxide. You certainly won’t want to risk the health of yourself or your family by breathing in the poisonous gas, so be sure to have a professional HVAC service technician perform the yearly maintenance on your unit. Furthermore, without an annual inspection, your furnace may have a greater risk of sparking a fire. Having your furnace undergo routine service will significantly decrease the likelihood of having a catastrophic accident occur. In most cases, an annual service inspection will allow the HVAC contractor to catch potential problems before they happen. They will be able to either remedy the problem, or advise you on the best course of action to ensure the safety of your family.
This article will focus on a few tips for people looking to purchase one of these to make those hot days less dreadful. Most people buy an Aircon without ever hearing it when it’s running. This can be a big problem, because some models are way too loud. They may be so loud that it could make it hard to talk in the room that it’s in or to watch television. It could also make it much more difficult to sleep if it is loud enough. That’s why it’s important to make sure the machine isn’t going to be too loud. Read some reviews about the product or try to have the employee selling it turn it on. It could save a lot of headaches down the road. Another thing for people to consider when purchasing an aircon is to find a heat exchanger that won’t rust or corrode right away. The condenser is arguably the first thing to go on these machines. It could cost a lot of money to replace them, so making sure that they are made well before buying the machine is a great way to save some time and money. Look for a machine that has a condenser coated with some sort of anti-corrosion patient or any other special coating to make it last longer. One of the biggest mistakes people make when buying an Aircon is not buying one that is the right size.
Many people just go out and buy one of these things without ever considering what size they need it to be. If it’s too small it won’t keep the house cool, and if it’s big it will cost more to run without providing any more benefits. That’s why the floor area and the height of a room should be measured. Also, the number of windows should be counted, and the area they take up should be measured as well. The amount of insulation in the building should also be considered. Knowing these things will help people find a great machine that’s just the right size for their home or building. I hope this article has been beneficial to those shopping for a great Aircon and wanting to spend their money well.
They’re willing, however, to pay several thousand dollars more to buy a house that lets them save at least $1,000 yearly in utility costs. Seventy percent of respondents said they would consider projected utility costs in their home purchase decision-making.
Are There Tampa Bay Homes for Sale Which Are Energy-Star Certified?
Yes, as of April 16, 2016, based on the Florida MLS listings, there are 181 Tampa Bay homes for sale which are Energy-Star certified. They range in price from $130,000 to $4,150,000.
Energy Star certified homes in Tampa Bay — 181 homes, ranging from $130,000 to $4,150,000
With Energy Star windows — 307 homes, ranging from $108,000 to $3,750,000
With Energy Star air conditioning — 347 homes, ranging from $52,000 to $2,855,500
With Energy Star washers — 153 homes, ranging from $135,000 to $3,750,000
With Energy Star roof — 99 homes, ranging from $139,900 to $3,450,000
What Does Energy-Star certification mean?
A home is Energy Star certified if its Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index meets or exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star HERS Index Target. It means it meets or exceeds efficiency ratings for the following features:
- Cooling equipment
- Heating equipment
- Water heater
- Thermostat and ductwork
- Lighting and appliances
In addition, before a home is Energy Star certified, the following checklists and reports must be completed:
Rater Design Review Checklist and Rater Field Checklist
Design Report
HVAC Commissioning Checklist
Water Management System Builder Requirements
Statistics and technical specifications for HVAC requirements
A home in certain states, including Florida, must be certified using regional specifications.
To summarize, an Energy Star certified home has the following:
1. High quality air sealing and insulation and high performance windows and doors
2. High-efficiency heating and cooling system
3. High-quality water filter system that includes flashing, moisture barriers and heavy-duty membranes
4. Fresh-air system with high performance filter that improves indoor air quality and reduces dust, pollen and other allergens
5. Capability to provide energy savings of up to 30% compared to non-certified homes
Complete information on Energy Star can be found at the EPA Energy Star website energystar.gov. Energy Star is a voluntary program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency which aims to help businesses and homeowners save money and protect our climate through excellent energy efficiency efforts.