[Peggy D]

Originally Posted by nyclicker

There are worst things than not having an energy star home. Be happy you chose TV. See article below.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/22590773

A story just broke on Fox News telling how housing/construction is the worse in the nation in South Flordia.

Good link--just what they said

[billethkid]

Why are folks who are satisfied and happy with what they have until some one turns a rock over for them?
Were you happy with your non knowing about energy star before the post?

Some developers choose not to use such promotional supplements as energy star because they have to pay to use the name.

How about a positive thought...The Villages builds a comparable home but chooses not to "SUBSCRIBE" to the energy star label!!!!!

When it comes to insulation, energy factors, appliance efficiencies...newer is almost always better....and is definitely a function of what you pay for. You can have three different choices regarding air conditioning...same tonnage....different features....higher efficiencies and features ALWAYS = higher price.

How easily our satisfactions can be derailed with minimal information.

I was happy before, because I got what I chose. And I am still happy.

Such is life....I am going to use my remaining gray matter to go enjoy something....

BTK

[bamafan]

Play it again kid. You said what I wanted to, you were just more polite than I would have been. I was especially attentive to the remark about builder grade. I have contracted two of my own homes, and I do not at all think the villages uses sub par materials or strictly builder grade. I am totally pleased with my home purchase. Thank God it is in The Villages.

[nanci2539]

Maybe everyone should stop reading articles!

[lm01]

Hi folks Thank you everyone for your input.

this was the original Question.

"Do you feel your home is a well constructed energy efficient home AND what would you do to improve your home's construction or energy efficiency.
Did your improvement result in any Dollar savings".

You can see from the posts that the responses took a lot of twist and turns on this topic and few folks really answered the question.

Billiethkid I think you are right folks are happy with their homes...EngeryStar was not an important factor to them when purchasing. I thought we would get some improvements that folks have made to their home where they saw additional savings.

Thank you again for responding to the question. 8)

[gfmucci]

I would insulate my garage door, especially if facing the south or west side. And make sure there is extra insulation in the attic. Otherwise, I think the garage can be a major heat trap and energy sucker. This would apply to ANY Florida house.

[villages07]

lm....I am satisfied with the construction of my home...in general and as it pertains to energy efficiency. We did add some insulation above the garage and are considering putting in a solar fan in the attic space. Not sure either of these make that much of a difference in energy consumption to pay for themselves over say 3-5 years.

That being said, I feel the overall cost of gas and electric for my home is extremely reasonable. I came from an all electric home in a mid Atlantic state...lots of heating costs in the winter and cooling in the summer. Here, I may run the gas heat for 14 days a year; the A/C runs pretty much continuosly from mid May thru mid October. The other 6 months a year...no heat or A/C, just good fresh Florida air. My highest electric bill in the summer was $130 (for a 2,000 sq ft house) and highest gas bill in the winter was $70. Both bills are usually far less than these figures.

[billethkid]

I would seriously consider insulating the garage doors. The heat factor in the garage is substantial.
All the homes have the "breather " vents...either ridge or the round looking ones near the peaks....I would put in the thermostatic controlled, solar attic fans....significant impact.

If you don't already have a ceiling fan in every room of the house, give it serious consideration. Ours are on 24/7....all seasons.

If the sunset side of your house isn't facing one of the better views in TV then put something on them to cover....especially the sunset side of the house.

Don't skimp on the quality of the air conditioning system....get the highest SEER your pocket book can stand and ask about the varible speed motor units. I just put in all new HVAC in our lake home in TN...highest SEER they make with variable speed out door fan and indoor air handler. Summer 2007 we experienced a 30% reduction in operating cost....however I need to also add it replaced a 13 year old (ancient energy technology) unit.

Good luck.

BTK

[lm01]

Hi I know that some homes in the villages have a silver insulating barrier in the attic. Did anyone have that done while in the building process. Attached is a sample of the insulation. You basically attach it to the rafters to get a channel that moves the heat from the roof up to the vents. Do you think it would be worth doing? Thx

http://www.insulation4less.com/prodex_Ffmf.asp

[lm01]

thx