Energy Efficiency - What to Know Before Buying a New Home

You've decided to look for your new dream home. Congratulations on embarking on your home buying adventure! There are so many exciting things to consider - size, layout, location, community amenities, design finishes, and more. For many of today's savvy home buyers, energy efficiency is an increasingly important aspect as well. While energy efficiency is not a feature you can see or touch, it has a big impact in the long run - on both your wallet and the comfort level in your home.



In the housing industry, energy performance and efficiency are measured using the Home Efficiency Rating System (HERS) Index. Developed by the Residential Energy Services Network, or RESNET, the HERS Index is the most comprehensive home efficiency rating system in North America. The lower the HERS Index, the higher the energy efficiency of the home. That means lower energy costs. Note HERS Index scores are not measured for used or resale homes, since they are typically less energy efficient than new construction homes.

At William Ryan Homes, we build in energy efficiency from the ground up – both inside and out. Items such as low-E/Argon Windows, energy efficient heating and cooling systems and appliances, foam sealing on windows and exterior doors are all incorporated with environmental protection and energy savings in mind. With an average HERS Index of 55 vs. a typical new home score of 100, William Ryan Homes are significantly more efficient than a standard home. We are continually making changes and improvements based on the latest state-of-the-art energy saving building systems. 

In partnership with Wisconsin utility companies, Focus on Energy offers a certification process to rate homes for energy efficiency performance. Changes to our foundation systems had a big impact on a recent home certification performance report by Focus on Energy. The 4,132 square foot home performed 42.8% better than Wisconsin state code, that’s a 42% savings on your energy bill vs. a used home! 
We believe every buyer should make an informed choice when purchasing a new home. Understanding energy efficiency and how it’s measured offers a great opportunity for comparison.Request energy efficiency scores from other home builders under consideration. Ask for examples of home features and building practices focused on energy savings.

Enjoy the adventure and let us know if we can help!

If you are in the market for a new home, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the benefits of building a home with William Ryan Homes. Our simple straight forward process for designing and building homes make it easy to make your dream home a reality. We can be reached at 608.319.1165 or at llarson@wmryan.com.