Well-insulated, efficient homes becoming trend

MONROE, Mich. - Oct 11 (The Associated Press)

From the outside, Jim Mackin's new home looks like one of those typical upscale dwellings in one of the many subdivisions popping up around Monroe County.

On the inside, the half-million-dollar residence has special touches _ marble counters, bronze fixtures, high ceilings and slate, tile and hardwood floors.

But it's not the obvious stuff that sets it apart from other homes. It's the stuff that can't be seen. The only visible evidence might be in his utility bills.

Mackin lives in a 5-point Energy Star home _ a government-certified, energy-efficient structure that should save him about 30 percent of the utility costs of a similar home that wasn't built with energy savings in mind.

"It's registered with the EPA as an energy-efficient home," explains Bob Monroe of Monroe Insulation, the Erie firm that insulated the Mackin house.

With costs of natural gas and electricity rising, an energy advantage becomes a selling point.

"The resale value on a home like this is high," Monroe says. "Sales will come quickly."

Mackin can appreciate that. A homebuilder for 15 years, he's started making energy efficiency a mantra for his models. "We're very energy-conscious. One reason is because we're building larger homes," he says.

But his 2,600-square-foot home might be the only one in the county with a 5-point rating. An inch of Styrofoam insulation surrounds the exterior of the foundation. The walls are rated R-17 and the attic, with 12 inches of Nu-Wool cellulose insulation, is rated R-40. All joints are sealed or caulked.

"They seal it up before it's insulated and we put house wrap on the outside," Mackin explains.

Even the garage doors are insulated.

"It's not just the insulation," Monroe says. "It's the whole house. It's how it's put together."

It has a high-efficiency furnace and air conditioning system, an energy-efficient washer and dryer, and Peachtree windows that allow light, but not heat, to pass through. It also has a water storage tank tied to a looped line that provides nearly instant hot water, reducing waste and heating costs.

Ceiling fans are strategically positioned to help circulate heat or cooling air in the rooms with higher ceilings. The ceilings range from 9 to 13 feet.

In the master bathroom, slate floor tile, warmed by ceiling heat lamps, radiates after the lamps are turned off. There is plenty of recessed and accent lighting throughout the home, but these enhancements are affordable given the energy savings elsewhere in the house.

"Some of the lighting is for effect," Mackin says. "We use them judiciously."

Though the energy-saving construction techniques can boost a home's price by 25 percent, there's a payback in lower utility bills.

And as energy costs rise, the payback is faster. Monroe says just insulating the exterior of the foundation walls can save $200, a payback that will come in a year.

Energy Star homes generally will use 30 percent less energy for heating, cooling and water heating than would a standard home. Homeowners can expect savings of $200 to $400 a year on their utility bills. The tighter construction also helps keep out unwanted drafts, dust, pollen and moisture.

Mackin now builds all his homes in a similar fashion. He says there's another benefit to living in such a home.

"One of the things my customers appreciate is that it makes it quieter," he says.