Energy Star certified homes....sm

[Myra]

Does anyone here have any experience with Energy Star certified homes? I am looking at Southern Energy homes and they will do the Energy Star for $2000-$2500 more. Is it worth it? I am very cold-natured, have lived in old, drafty houses all my married life, and am SO ready for a tight, draft-free, warm home! Any thoughts will be appreciated

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Myra,

The answer is yes, the insulation factors will be below standard if you don't up-grade. Your heating costs will be about 25% less by adding this package. I would also negotiate this price with them when you're ready to wheel and deal.

Randy Eaton

[Ray]

Noticed that Claton states they "offer" Energy Star homes at each of their manufacturing plants (advertised on their web site). I'm guessing this means you can get an ES home if you want to pay for an upgrade. Does anyone know for sure. I'd like to have this info "in hand' before negotiations begin. Also, is the upgrade worth it w/Clayton models.
Thanks very much.....Ray

[rmurray]

So far all manufacturers that are approved for Energy Star ratings offer it as an option...I assume this is so with Clayton..

You would be better off buying this option than virtually any other offered...If you were going to get low-e thermopane windows and good insulation anyway..the rest of the option should only be a few hundred dollars...Something that you will be able to show a prospective buyer when you sell and get back many times over...

[Myra]

Is that the same thing as the argon gas-filled windows? I remember you telling me that they will eventually leak and get moisture accumulation, so I would like to avoid those if possible. I want the low-e coating, though. So does the term "thermopane" (some have said "thermopayne") automatically mean gas-filled?

[rmurray]

Yes...but low e glass is only available in these windows...Life is full of trade offs...The inconvenience of changing the windows some day...5 to 15 years from now..has to be offset by the energy savings...Only you can decide..

[Myra]

Once I read that you can have low-e coating applied to existing windows. Saw it in a magazine ad in a home magazine, I believe. I'm thinking, just get storm windows instead of gas-filled (why don't they just make double-paned with no gas...dead air is a good insulator, isn't it?) and have low-e applied later? It might even be something a person could do themselves, a little at a time, as finances allowed.

[Lynne S]

I'm curious..our bathro, has this really pretty frosted type window...kinda sparkley..one of the techs mentioned it didn't have UV coating on it and would discolor the tub? Is there a way to correct this by applying somemthing?

[rmurray]

There are thermo windows without the the gas and have lifetime warranties (Anderson is one brand that comes to mind)..BUT..they are way to high of price for most consumers (manufactured or stick homes)..Some large picture windows can cost many thousands of dollars....

I have never heard of the low-e addon...Check it out..