Does Plum Creek Builders’ emphasis on energy efficiency increase the cost of the home?
There is widespread misconception, primarily among production builders, that building energy efficient homes costs a lot more than building homes that are drafty, moldy, with high heating and cooling costs and are generally uncomfortable for its inhabitants. While some segments of construction may initially incur some slight increase in cost, we must look at the operating costs of the home over time. For example, suppose that the initial cost of incorporating a high efficiency heating/cooling system, efficient windows and doors, and upgraded insulation levels amount to $10,000.00; however, the heating and cooling requirements are reduced by $200.00 per month. Over a five year period, this results in a savings of $12,000.00!
