The move to improve the energy efficiency of the country's homes is picking up speed. As big home builders anticipate greater demand for green homes and seek to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace, many are using green features to draw buyers.

For instance, Pulte Homes  has built 10 communities that offer standard or optional solar power. Most are based in Arizona, California and Nevada. Last month, the company expanded its solar offerings to a retirement community in New Jersey.

Beazer Homes recently added a few options to its eSmart program, an environmentally-conscious design scheme for new homes that include 10 eco-friendly features. The new “eSMART Plus option” features a higher-efficiency Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, dual flush toilets and an upgraded home radiant barrier in warmer climates.

 

“All builders are coming up with some kind of a green program – they realize they have to,” says Ed Binkley, a residential architect who focuses on sustainability in Oviedo, Fla.

For prospective buyers who want to live the green way – and save on energy costs – there are more options than ever. Here’s what a few experts in the field recommend buyers look for when going green-house hunting.

Certification

The simplest way for most buyers to identify a sustainable house is to look for one that’s been certified under one of the many green building programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program or the National Association of Home Builders’ certification from the American National Standards Institute, as well as numerous state and local programs.

 

Consumers who are custom building a house should insist that it be certified under one of these programs, says Carl Seville, owner of Seville Consulting, a residential green-building consulting firm in Decatur, Ga. They should also make sure the program requires performance testing, which would include a duct blaster test to detect air leaks in the duct system. Some green-building programs don’t require such tests, he says.

Orientation, window placement

The position of the house itself is one area most buyers rarely consider. However, a new home’s orientation should be a priority when assessing energy efficiency and comfort, says Seville.

An east-west orientation is usually best. In hot climates, shoppers should look for a house with few windows on the east and west sides and with the southern-facing windows shaded properly. Proper orientation of a house can cut down heating bills by 10% to 20%, Seville says.

 

However, although the orientation of the building plays a role in energy expenses, the location of the property can be more critical. If the home is within walking distance of amenities, like parks, stores and transit, its residents may drive less and save on gas.

Insulated construction

As for the bones of the house, the key is to use materials that provide an effective barrier against air leaks. Binkley says he works primarily with structural insulated panels (SIPs), walls of insulating foam sandwiched between two outer panels. SIPs are used in floors, walls and roofs. Their fabrication process produces no waste, and they can reduce heating and cooling costs significantly.

 

The upfront price for SIPs may be 4% or 5% higher than what a shopper may spend on typical wood construction, but the improved insulation could lower the home’s operating costs, Binkley says.

 

“You have to look at how long it will take to recoup that money,” he says. “You may be able to reduce your electric bill by 70%.”

Right-size HVAC system

As much as half of the energy used in a home goes toward heating and cooling, so an HVAC system can have a big effect on utility bills.

 

Aside from checking the filter regularly and using a programmable thermostat, a homeowner should make sure the system is properly designed for their house. “Contractors frequently put in central AC systems that are too large,” says Seville. An oversized unit won’t run long enough to remove the proper humidity; an undersized one won’t cool and dry enough moisture from the air.

 

For example, a 2,000-square-foot house might typically require a three ton air-conditioning system. However, if a home is well-insulated, a 1.5- or two-ton system might suffice, says Binkley. The homeowner could end up saving money by downsizing.

Government rebates

Buyers who purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for their home may be eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% up to $1,500. Homeowners have until the end of the year to take advantage of the incentive, which covers insulation upgrades and HVAC equipment.

 

Homeowners may also qualify for local incentives through state-run programs as well as through their utility companies. For example, Nevada customers of Southwest Gas Corporation are eligible for rebates of up to $200 if they purchase energy-efficient natural gas water heaters, clothes washers, clothes dryers, programmable thermostats and low-flow showerheads.

 

To see what’s available in a particular area, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.