Green Florida: Cost vs. Value

But we do know that building, remodeling and equipping our homes with energy efficiency in mind is a huge step forward. It’s socially responsible to do so, of course, but it’s also financially savvy.

After all, it isn’t cheap to own a home. To mitigate rising costs—including increasing utility bills, fuel-oil costs and insurance premiums, we should be building and remodeling homes with high-performance windows, doors and insulation.

We should be sealing holes and cracks in the building envelope and in duct systems. And we should be properly sizing heating and cooling systems and installing energy-saving appliances.

Many builders already are. Thanks to the federal Energy Star program and the increased consumer awareness and demand, Tampa Bay’s supply of energy-efficient homes is increasing.

Standard Pacific Homes, for example, announced in July that its homes being built in Hillsborough and Pasco counties now would be Energy Star certified, which means they will be at least 15 percent more efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code.

K. Hovnanian Homes is offering its Energy Smart Home package as a free upgrade in all of its communities, including Longleaf, a green-certified community in Tampa" target="_blank">Pasco County.

The package, valued at $5,400, includes a highly efficient (15 SEER) central air-conditioning system, tinted windows and high-efficiency (R-38) attic insulation.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the community at Longleaf and to offer all of our customers the chance to save money for years to come with our energy-saving package,” says George Schulmeyer, division president.

Inland Homes is building its first two homes in Grey Hawk at Lake Polo with energy-efficient upgrades such as digital thermostats, Energy Star-rated appliances, radiant roof sheathing and low-emissivity double pane windows and sliding glass doors.

Ashton Woods Homes, which was already an Energy Star-rated homebuilder, spread the word this year about its new South Tampa community, The Landings at Port Tampa, which offers homes that are certified green by the Florida Green Building Coalition.

Soon, building and remodeling with energy efficiency in mind will be more cost-efficient for us all, thanks in part to the federal financial industry bailout package passed in October. An existing set of federal incentives for investments in wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy were set to expire at the end of this year. But the plan in its final form contained new and extended benefits for homeowners who make energy improvements.

New is a 30 percent tax credit for homeowners who install a wind turbine on their property. Extended for one year is a tax credit for energy-efficient home improvements such as installing a solar water heater, although the credit does not apply to solar water heaters for swimming pools and hot tubs.

Solar power, which has been a difficult sell without incentives because of its high cost, is likely to be more attractive to homeowners now that they can get a 30 percent tax credit for installing rooftop solar panels. The maximum credit had been $2,000. But the new law eliminates the cap and extends the credit for eight years.

Also available is a one-time tax credit of 30 percent for geothermal heat pump installations, with a maximum credit of $2,000. The system must meet Energy Star requirements to qualify.
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Geothermal systems tap the renewable—and free—supply of energy stored just a few feet below the Earth’s surface to heat and cool a home.

Efficiency ratings for geothermal systems are up to five times higher than those of ordinary heating and cooling systems. Plus, geothermal systems require less maintenance and reduce your carbon footprint because the system burns no fossil fuels.

New-home builders are eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,000 when they use highly efficient heating and cooling systems while manufacturers can get a tax credit for producing energy-efficient dishwashers and other appliances.

That’s all good news for consumers, who can save on housing costs through lower utility bills.

To find out more about tax credits or local, utility and federal incentives, check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency Web site, www.dsireusa.org.