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More and more, homebuyers are looking for ways to incorporate home technologies
that in crease the long-term value of their house but also provide convenience,
safety and comfort. These days, energy management tops the list of desired
features in new homes, according to a recent survey by the National Asso
ciation of Home Builders.
In the home technology features category, the No. 1 choice among respondents was
energy management at 61 percent — up from 45 percent in 2004. Also ranked highly in this category were multi-zone
heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), lighting controls and home
theaters.
Staying in the home technology features category, three of the top five
most-wanted technology features — energy management, HVAC and lighting control — also provide energy-efficiency. By incorporating the following technologies,
homeowners can save money on utility bills:
•Automated HVAC systems can maintain a more energy-efficient temperature while
the homeowners are away at work, but switch to a more comfortable temperature
prior to their arrival at home. Zones can also be created to heat or cool only the areas most used by the
occupants, keeping other areas, such as guest bedrooms, shut down until they
are needed. According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. De partment of Energy, programmable thermostats
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can save consumers about $180 per year in energy costs.
•Water heaters with a timer can be turned off when occupants are traveling, and
can turn on and begin heating the water in preparation for their return home.
Tankless gas water heaters, which only activate when residents start to use hot
water and immediately de-activate when they are done, are also a great option
and can reduce water heating costs up to 35 percent annually.
•Lighting can make up 10 to 20 percent of the total electrical usage of the home.
Installing an automatic dimmer, which adjusts to the homeowner’s needs based on time of day or occupancy, will lower electricity bills and
increase the life expectancy of light bulbs.
•Blinds and drapes can be programmed to close during the hottest part of the day
to block out the sun — keeping the house cooler. In the colder winter months, they can be opened up,
allowing the sun to warm the house, which helps regulate the room temperature.
By incorporating technologies that help make your home operate more efficiently,
Energy Star estimates that homeowners can save $200 to $400 annually on their
energy bills. www.nahb.org
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