At Bud Bartley Homes, we realize that many people who are interested in custom home building in the Dallas area have no idea what some of the terms we builders use actually mean. For instance, while you may have heard the term “HERS rating,” you may have no idea what that means. As a trusted custom home builder in Dallas for more than thirty years, we believe in thoroughly educating potential homeowners about these terms, so they understand how important “green” building really is, and how it benefits them.
HERS stands for Home Energy Rating Score. RESNET, or the Residential Energy Services Network, established the HERS index, which is simply a scoring system that rates the energy-efficiency of a home.
What are advantages to the homeowner? Substantial money savings on energy costs, and a reduced negative impact on the environment. If you are considering green home building in the Dallas area, here are just a few of the ways you can enjoy a home that is energy-efficient and comfortable, yet allow you to save money:
- High performance window installation
- Choosing a programmable thermostat for your heat/air conditioning system
- Energy Star qualified appliances (refrigerator, stove, HVAC system, dishwasher, etc.)
- Plumbing fixtures that are water efficient and high performance
- Choosing compact fluorescent lighting (CFL)
- Using low VOC (volatile organic compounds) products such as paints, carpeting and finishes
- High-efficiency HVAC system
Essentially, you can enjoy a comfortable home that costs less in terms of energy expense. Of course, the impact on the environment is important as well, as more and more homeowners are becoming concerned about what the environment will be like 10, 20, or even 30 years from now for their children and grandchildren.
As far as a HERS rating, the lower the number the better. For instance, if your home were to be given a HERS index rating of 50, it would mean that it is 30% more efficient than a home given a HERS rating of 80. We work with professional home energy raters in order to identify where improvements can be made, so that you can enjoy the lowest possible HERS index rating without compromising comfort, convenience and beauty.
If you’re considering a custom green home in Dallas, rely on the master craftsmen at Bud Bartley Homes. We specialize in beautiful, elegant and distinctive homes that save you money, and protect the environment for future generations.
Would you like to take a tour of one of our model homes? Call 972-318-3802 to set up a viewing!
