The buyer who wants a home with the latest up-to-date energy-efficient features should definitely consider a modular home. What is a modular home and what makes it different from a conventional site-built home? In traditional home construction materials are brought to the lot and the home is constructed on-site. You'll see this called a "stick-built" home because it is put together piece by piece, stick by stick. A modular home is made of component units that are manufactured in a quality-controlled facility, then brought to the home site. A modular home must meet the same national and local building codes as a stick-built house.
Overall energy savings are important to everyone. Many of today's home buyers are increasingly looking at sustainability, too. Modular home manufacturers serve their market by adding the energy-saving features consumers want. Whether you are concerned about your family's impact on the environment or just want to save money, a modular home is a good choice. Here are the top three energy-efficient features of a modular home.
1. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems
According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling make up half of the average family's energy costs. Many modular homes have earned the Energy Star® certification, indicating that they are built to a high standard of construction in terms of energy usage. The Energy Star® rating means the building meets strict standards for energy efficiency set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Choosing an Energy Star® modular home means your house will be far more energy-efficient than a standard stick-built one that meets minimum code requirements.
Most people don't think too much about the ducts in their home, but their correct size and placement can make a big difference in how efficiently your heating and cooling system works. Modular homes with an Energy Star® certification will have the entire HVAC system, including the ductwork, placed, sized, and sealed for optimum heating and cooling. Since all the various components are completed at the manufacturer, you can count on them working well together as a whole.
Because of the manufacturing process, modular homes demonstrate extremely consistent construction quality. They are generally sealed tighter than the average stick-built house. This means they will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer while having a better balance of temperature throughout the entire house. The features of a modular home that lower the heating and air conditioning bills also keep the family more comfortable through better ventilation and improved indoor air quality.
2. Smart Home Technology
A big advantage of modular homes is the availability of smart home technology. Smart home, also known as home automation, let's you set controls on different household systems to run on their own, timed for maximum efficiency. Rather than having to turn lights or heat and air off and on manually, you can set them up to run on a schedule that maximizes comfort and eliminates energy waste. Using a smartphone and wifi, you can set lighting, climate controls, and security features to operate seamlessly throughout the day and night. You can select a new modular home that has been designed and constructed for smart home features.
3. Materials and Appliances
In addition to having tighter seals, modular homes feature tighter windows and doors that the average stick-built house. They feature high-quality insulation as well as the latest in cost-saving appliances, such as tankless water heaters. The features of a modular home that lower the heating and air conditioning bills also keep the family more comfortable through better ventilation and improved indoor air quality. Choosing a modular home can be the best way to enjoy state-of-the-art energy-saving features in your new home.
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The pros of modular homes include lower costs over traditional construction methods, better quality, improved construction speed, and better resilience while the cons consist of a bit more complicated financing process, lack of customization, and the social stigma that is the consequence of the low-quality of modular homes in the past. In this article, we…
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