When did Tucson homes start seeing large improvements in their energy efficiency?
In the last fifteen years, energy efficient homes for sale in Tucson started to see some real gains. Technology has enabled new building materials and techniques to be implemented, and cost issues have been resolved. Homebuilders led the way in a desire to distinguish their brand-new homes from the resale homes in nearby neighborhoods.
What makes new homes so much more energy efficient?
Essentially anything that insulates the home or uses power has been re-engineered over the past decade to insulate better and use less power with the same results. Window technology, HVAC technology, and appliances have progressed at almost space-race levels by manufacturers and homebuilders.
In Tucson, where the summers are hot, an efficient air conditioner can save you as much as 30% on your electric bill. A 13 SEER AC is the minimum most buyers are demanding, and this has been the standard for the past decade. Some homeowners are upgrading to 16-20 SEER units. These units are far superior to any other AC units and can drive electric bills down by 70%. Those super-high efficiency units run more often, but operate on the idea of constantly keeping cold air entering the home while running at a very low speed. It's like peddling in low gear. They use very little electricity compared to the old technology that alternated blasting the AC and then shutting it off until the temperature rose again.
Buyers have a hard time understanding how insulation works (other than knowing when it isn't working). Insulation technology has advanced and has borrowed from the technologies developed for the space programs. Spray foam, which is the most advanced of these, is now being used by some builders. Spray foam completely fills the gaps in cracks, resulting in excellent insulation. Spray foam insulation increases efficiency by 20%-40% over traditional fiberglass or cellulose insulations. Buyers wanting this level of insulation need to know which builders use it and which don't. Spray foam insulation is far more expensive to build with. Currently, Meritage Homes use spray foam technology, and other builders and homeowners are starting to use it as well.
LED or Light-Emitting Diode is a light source that uses a semiconductor to produce light within the unit. LED lights can operate for a fraction of the energy required by traditional light bulbs. LED lighting is not only extremely energy efficient, but the bulbs can last 10-20 years (or longer). In addition, this light source produces a better quality of light. It is more intense with a pleasing full spectrum color. While LED lights within the home are not a standard today, any home that has LED lighting is easily identifiable by trained professionals who know what to look for. Recessed LED lighting can be installed or retrofitted into older homes. In garages, LED panels can be installed in place of fluorescent lights. While costly up front, this lighting technology is not only a premium upgrade to have in your new home, but it is also extremely cost effective in the long run.
