Iowa Energy Star.com

      100% of Hedegaard Homes' homes are designed and built to significantly exceed ENERGY STAR specifications and are individually tested to ensure that they meet or exceed the EPA's National Building Performance Rating System.  This means that you will save up to $1,000/year compared to other similar non-ENERGY STAR homes.  In addition, all of our homes feature highly-efficient CFL lighting.  Your monthly bill for lighting will generally be 75% less than it would be with regular incandescent lighting.

      We have been asked several questions about exactly what make our homes ENERGY STAR homes.  Following are some answers.  If you have any further questions, please be sure to contact us with your questions. 

Q.  ENERGY STAR?  Does that mean that my home will have solar panels on the roof or look weird?

A.  Absolutely not!!!.  When you see the homes designed and built by Hedegaard Homes, you will think that they are as inefficient as any other typical home!  We haven't put solar panels on any homes and have no plans for it, either.  Our goal is to design and build homes that appear to be exactly the same, but actually operate more efficiently because of better materials, components, and construction techniques.

Q.  How will I know that my home is actually built to ENERGY STAR specifications?

A.  We can personally show you some of the things we are doing during the construction phase of your new home.  Additionally, because an independent testing firm surveys and tests every home individually prior to move-in, we can provide you the documented test results to prove that your home far exceeds the EPA's National Building Performance Rating System ENERGY STAR specifications.  Of course, where you will really see the proof is on your monthly gas and power bills!

Q.  Will our new home appear different than any other new home?

A.  Our ENERGY STAR homes appear to be as inefficient as any other home!  We promise no solar panels or windmills.

Q.  How are Hedegaard Homes built to exceed ENERGY STAR specifications?

A.  We use much more efficient materials and are very careful to properly install every component to be certain that energy efficiency in maximized.

Q.  Specifically, what materials and construction techniques are different about your homes?

A.  There are numerous things we do to ensure that your home is as efficient as possible.  Here are ten of them:

1. We use Low-E insulating glass that exceeds ENERGY STAR specifications.  In Iowa's cold winters and hot summers, this extra efficiency makes a big difference in your heating and air conditioning bills.
   
   
   
2. We seal the entire home with Tyvek Weatherization Systems.
   
   
   
3. The natural gas furnace exceeds ENERGY STAR specifications of 90% AFUE (Actual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).
   
   
   
4. All of our air conditioners exceed ENERGY STAR specifications of SEER 13 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).
   
   
   
5. Where needed, we seal your air ducts to minimize heating and cooling leakage.
   
   
   
6. We insulate the basement (whether finished or not) with interior basement perimeter insulation.
   
   
   
7. All exterior walls are insulated with high R-Value (Resistance to heat flow) blown insulation.  Blown insulation in the walls has a higher potential R-Value than regular batt-type insulation. (see photo above)
   
   
   
8. We foam or caulk every hole that is drilled through the inside of the exterior walls.  This increases the R-Value of the exterior walls, because it compartimentalizes the air between the studs in the walls and keeps outside air entering your home and inside air from escaping to the outside. (see photo below)
   
   
9. We use attic insulation with a minimum R-Value (Resistance to heat flow) of R-38.
   
   
   
10. Our homes feature highly-efficient CFL lighting.  Your monthly bill for lighting will generally be 75% less than it would be with regular incandescent lighting.

    So, as you can see, virtually all of the differences between the Hedegaard Homes design and build process and a typical builder are in the design and construction of the home, not things that you can visibly see.

Q.  You mention on your web site that your homes "significantly exceed ENERGY STAR specifications."  What does that mean?

A.  To be labeled an ENERGY STAR home, a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score of 85 is required.  (Like golf, a low score is better.)  Our new homes typically score in the 60-70 range, which is in the "5 Stars Plus" category, which is the highest awarded.  You will receive a Home Energy Rating Certificate when you purchase your home as documentation from the independent testing agency.

Q.  Do you use any recycled materials in your homes?

A.  We originally thought that the answer would be "no."  However, we have recently discovered that the materials that we initially chose solely for their quality, strength, and long-lasting features were manufactured using recycled materials.  Some examples are floor joists, the manufactured plywood for the floors and roof, and the Trex decking on your large deck.

Q.  You list Trex decking in your information about every home you build.  What is Trex decking?

A.  We use this for the flooring on the deck on the back of your home.  It is an amazingly durable product that resists causing slivers, splintering, splitting, checking, rot, decay and termite damage.  Alan Hedegaard, the owner of Hedegaard Homes, used Trex decking on his personal home that was built more than ten years ago.  It looks virtually the same as it did when installed.

      Other decking materials will eventually break down, warp, dramatically change color, or need to be replaced.  The Trex decking limited warranty offers coverage against material defects in workmanship and materials, and against splintering, splitting, checking, rot, decay and termite damage, for a full 25 years.  Trex decking is made from post-consumer and/or post-industrial reclaimed plastic and waste wood.  The reclaimed plastic comes primarily from grocery sacks and stretch film, and the waste wood is from woodworking manufacturers.

Q.  Are there other construction companies in Southwest Iowa that build ENERGY STAR homes?

A.  No other builders in the Southwest Iowa region are listed as ENERGY STAR builders by the EPA.

Q.  Where can I get more information about your custom homes?

A.  Simply browse around our web site, call, or e-mail us.  Our contact info is listed here.

Contact us for more information!

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