There’s no escaping energy-efficient and water-saving features in California new-home construction. Not that anyone would want to escape it.
But it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the workings of more efficient construction. Various features, appliances and other gadgets can lower your utility bills and increase your quality of life the minute you move into your new home.
Builders fully practice the standards of California’s 2019 California Building Energy Efficient (Energy Code), which is updated every three years. The current standards require new residential housing to be solar-ready, among other means of achieving net-zero energy use per dwelling.
Meanwhile, many builders incorporate other energy-efficiency and safety features as standard practices above and beyond California’s requirements. Among these features, your builder may include the following.
Ask them for the details, benefits and their buyers’ feedback regarding these features:
Dual-zone HVAC systems: These are often offered as available per plan, typically for two-story homes or large single-story homes with multiple wings.
Improved HVAC duct systems: Tighter ductwork helps manage airflow with less leakage and better indoor air quality.
Clean energy solar panel system: The builder is required to have the house solar-ready, but the buyer must either purchase or lease the solar system. Ask your builder about the option for a monitoring function with your system.
Whole-house exhaust fans: They provide rapid cooling and better airflow.
Energy-efficient windows and sliding doors: The term Low-E means low-emissivity; the glass is manufactured using a thin, transparent coating that reflects heat and minimizes the amount of infrared and ultraviolet passing through your glass, without affecting the amount of light entering the home. The result not only saves energy but helps balance room temperature.
Better-quality insulated exterior walls and ceilings: Some builders even include an extra layer of roofing underlayment beneath the decorative concrete tile or composite roof tile.
Water-saving bathrooms: Today’s showerheads and toilets provide better pressure even with less water.
Additionally, several other features may not be required by the builder but can improve your home’s livability. Some builders will include them as standard. Others will happily add them as options.
Smart thermostats: They may be optional, but you’ll be happy you chose them if they aren’t. A smart thermostat eliminates the constant returns to the device when the air temperature isn’t quite right. Change, program or set a schedule using your mobile device from anywhere.
Occupancy or motion-sensor light switches: These are great for people who forget to turn off the light when they leave a room. They’re best for bathrooms, garage, hallways and/or work or laundry areas. This feature is not advisable for bedrooms, unless you want the lights to shine every time you move around in your sleep or get up for a toilet trip while your partner is asleep.
Tankless water heater with recirculating pump: For some builders, the tankless water heater is standard. Determine your needs in advance. While doing so, learn more about how the tankless water heater saves water and energy without letting the household run out of hot water between showers. The recirculating pump is required for many homes, especially those with two stories or more than two bathrooms.
Prewiring for ceiling fans: Ask your builder if this is standard or can be added.
Integrated security systems: Does, or can, your new home include a security system integrated with the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Ask about the placement of any prewired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, which should be in or near sleeping areas.
Exterior weatherproofing: These features are becoming more popular. Ask your builder what is included.
Other energy-efficiency modifications to residential construction may have come out of the August 11, 2021, triennial update of the California Update Code.
Chances are, every California builder will incorporate any modifications long before they take effect on January 1, 2023. Watch this space for updates on how builders are staying ahead of and responding to the need to conserve energy and water.
