What are the Pros and Cons of Using Green Energy Sources?

The advantage of using green energy sources is that it is clean so it does not emit anything harmful into the air which can have a negative impact on the environment. It is also renewable which means we will never run out of it unlike oil which is finite and likely going to become very limited.

Green energy facilities are expensive to build, but they require much less maintenance so the cost to operate them is lower than conventional energy.

While these sound good, there are some who say that there are advantages to using such technology.

While solar energy systems can produce electricity, how much it can generate is not consistent. This is because we have no control of the weather so if a certain area relies on solar energy and there is a weather disturbance, it will not be able to convert sunlight into electricity.

Building some renewable energy facilities requires a large area of land so we may have to cut on farmland which is what many are concerned about if more wind turbines are to be put up.

Another disadvantage is the fact that some of the green energy sources cannot be installed in certain areas of the planet. For instance, wave energy can only be utilized if the waves coming from the ocean reach at least 16 feet. The use geothermal energy can only be done in geologically stable parts of the planet.

But if you look at such arguments, places that cannot use one form of green energy source can be substituted for another. If wind turbines need more space, they can be installed near the coast instead of placing these inland. A study shows that you can generate more electricity while these are in the ocean.

While the weather is something we cannot control, it is not every day that there is a weather disturbance. If solar energy is being used and the sun is covered, the emergency generators will be activated and use up the energy that was stored.

The main point is that there are ways around the arguments put by certain individuals which discourage the use of green energy sources. In fact, research is ongoing to try and harness other means to generate the power we need.

A very good example of this is called ocean thermal energy. Power is generated by harnessing the different temperatures in the water. It is currently being used on a small scale both in Japan and Hawaii.

In the United States, only 7% of green energy sources are used nationally. This was much higher 11 years ago and if we don’t have to worry about the cost of oil or even reduce our dependency on it, we have to invest more in this clean energy.

We can get it from green energy sources such as biomass, biodiesel, geothermal, solar, water and the wind. These are things we have all around us and all it takes is for someone to harness it instead of relying on traditional non-renewable means to produce energy.

Look at the ingenuity that went into providing light in these homes in the Philippines. Many of the people cannot afford electricity, but this helps them light their homes at no cost.The bottles used in the skylights would otherwise just collect in landfills and water supplies. In addition to utilizing garbage for these lights, they also have another great feature in that they do not create heat and they have zero power consumption. It is interesting what people figure out when the need arises and the will to help is present.

Homes by Vanderbuilt answers: What does it mean to be LEED certified?

A question we get asked often at Homes by Vanderbuilt is what is a LEED certification? A LEED certification is awarded by the US Green Building Council at varied levels of green performance.  In other words, the more you make your home eco-friendly, the higher the level of LEED certification can be considered. These measures are by no means easy to come by. The ranking system is very stringent and carefully inspected by a third-party to ensure verification.These are called Green Raters and can be found for each state in the USGBC’s Green Rater Locator. Note: All projects pursuing LEED for Homes certification also require performance testing to be completed by a qualified energy rater, a Home Energy Rating System Rater (HERS Rater).  Many Green Raters are also qualified energy raters (HERS Raters) and can provide both the onsite verification and performance testing services.

For most homes, obtaining a LEED certification can be very costly. Many things are factored into the rating and the decision to award a LEED certification. On the USGBC’s site, they have a PDF of the LEED Ranking System and a LEED For Homes Project Checklist as well as an eligibility requirements document found here.

Homes by Vanderbuilt modular homes are energy efficient and can be great candidates for LEED certification, but stand-alone, they cannot be LEED certified. What we mean by that is there are other factors beyond our scope of what we provide. For instance, one of the rating factors deals with water consumption, and that has more to do with the vegetation on your yard and the irrigation system you have. If you are interested in building a LEED certified home, we can get you started and “LEED” you in the right direction.

You can read more about LEED certification and Green Home Building at the USGBC site.

Energy Saving Methods Used by Homes by Vanderbuilt

1) Lighting:

• Exclusively use CFL bulbs. You can purchase all shapes & sizes of CFLs at most hardware stores and online.
• Homes by Vanderbuilt uses ENERGY STAR ® qualified light fixtures.

 

 

 

 

2) Heating & cooling:

• Homes by Vanderbuilt uses ENERGY STAR ® qualified heating and cooling units
• Make sure all air registers and floor vents are clear of furniture and appliances.
• Check your HVAC system’s air filter monthly and replace it at least every three months. Have a pre-season check-up of your system by a licensed contractor every 2-3 years (gas heat) or annually (oil heat).
• Keep stored items away from the furnace and water heater for safety and proper air circulation.
• Make sure all air registers and floor vents are clear of furniture and appliances.

3) Home sealing:

• Homes by Vanderbuilt uses window screens with storm windows for the winter months.
• Check along the top of the basement wall, where cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. Known as the rim joist or band joist, this is a common area of air leakage. Seal with expanding foam or caulk. Seal penetrations such as pipes and wiring.
• Make sure holes for dryer vent, ducts and electrical wires are sealed. Seal small gaps with caulk and holes up to three inches in diameter with spray foam. Cover spaces larger than three inches with foam board and seal with spray foam.
• Seal and insulate your attic. Because it’s accessible, the job won’t be difficult if you are a do-it-yourselfer. This can make a big difference in your home’s overall comfort. Weather strip and insulate your home’s attic hatch or door. Use weatherizing materials and insulation or a pre-made attic cover.
• Seal gaps where plumbing pipes, ducts, or wires enter the attic through the ceiling using caulk or spray foam. For holes up to three inches in diameter, use spray foam. For larger spaces, use a foam board and seal with foam.
• Inspect your ducts for holes, tears and other signs of leaks. Seal them using mastic or metal foil tape – never duct tape. Insulate the ducts you can access, including those in the attic, crawlspace, basement or garage.
• Seal air leaks around your chimney or furnace flue. Look for gaps around the chimney that allow air from your home to escape into the attic. Seal with metal flashing. Caulk small gaps with a product designed to withstand high temperatures.

4) Appliances:

• Homes by Vanderbuilt always advises using only ENERGY STAR ® products. The new models will pay for themselves quickly through increased efficiency.
• Scrape dishes instead of rinsing before loading the dishwasher, and use a high quality dishwasher soap. Run dishwasher only only when full. Use air-dry option.
• Use your microwave or toaster to reheat or cook small portions.
• Use pots that are the same size as your stove burners and keep burners clean. If you have a gas range, blue flames mean good combustion, yellow flames mean you may need service to ensure gas is burning efficiently.
• Always buy ENERGY STAR ® appliances when replacing a dishwasher, refrigerator or freezer.

 

If keeping costs down and reducing a home’s carbon footprint is important to you, then an energy-saving modular home from Homes By Vanderbuilt is a great choice for your next home.

There are a number of options to create the most energy-efficient home.  Homes By Vanderbuilt homes can include nearly every one.  In fact, they offer some homes that are designed to achieve the highest rating offered in the Energy Star program: the coveted 5 Star performance rating.  These homes may cost as little as an estimated $ 19 per month to heat and cool.

There are also ways to reduce energy costs inside a well built modular home.  LED lighting can shave dollars off of the monthly bills.  On-demand water heaters use less far less energy yet can still provide an entire family with hot morning showers.  Of course, the more familiar Energy Star-rated appliances like refrigerators and oven can be installed into any Homes by Vanderbuilt home as well.

Energy Star is a joint program run by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.  Earning the Energy Star means a home or an appliance has met the strict guidelines of energy efficiency set by these two demanding agencies. As of January 2011, all of the homes offered by Homes by Vanderbuilt will surpass, not merely meet, the stringent requirements of the Energy Star rating.

Owning an Energy Star modular home is more than just a title.  It’s a way to save money on monthly bills.  These homes can save their owners hundreds each year and up to $ 10,000 over the course of a mortgage.  Plus, they reduce the amount of CO2 a home expels into the atmosphere.

Insulation is one way these modular homes conserve energy and lower energy costs.  They use spray foam insulation rather than traditional batts and rolls.  This product is literally sprayed into the area it insulates either with small spray containers or a larger pressurized system.  Spray foam creates a tighter seal by getting into every crack and crevice and fitting even irregularly shaped walls and attics.

Radiant barrier sheathing is another way of keeping costs down in the attic.  This barrier reflects up to 97% of the sun’s radiant heat off of the roof of a home.  Attic temperatures are lowered and heat does not penetrate into home’s the living space.

The sun’s energy can overheat a home but it can also be harnessed to help make the home more efficient.  Solar powered vents can put installed into any Homes by Vanderbuilt modular home to further reduce attic temperatures and reduce cooling costs.

 

 

 

Homes by Vanderbuilt proudly calls Sanford, North Carolina home. For more information on modular homes, please visit the largest display of modular homes in the country.

Homes By Vanderbuilt Guide To Choosing a Modular Home Builder

Your home is likely the largest investment you will ever make. The attention it is given during the building process will determine the stability of your investment. Choosing your modular home builder shouldn’t be like picking out a pair of shoes or even a car. Finding your modular builder is an important decision and buyers should be careful to choose only the best company to create the home of your dreams.

Reputation
Different builders have different product lines and varying levels of customization and options. Some customers can find it difficult to discern the nuances between products, floor plans and packages. However, all builders have one thing in common – a reputation.

A home builder’s reputation is its most important feature. The company may offer numerous floor plans but if its customers are not satisfied with the work, something isn’t right. Look for a builder with a proven track record of quality home construction, high customer satisfaction and stellar service.

Value
Like any commodity, modular homes can vary in the manufacturer’s quality of construction as well as their cost. You should seek out a builder who offers good value for the dollar, not necessarily a bargain price. As your largest investment, you home should be a sound investment. A poorly built home is not a good buy, no matter how little it costs.

While modular homes are often less expensive per square foot that a site built home, a good quality home will rarely be cheap. A well-built home will save money in maintenance and repairs over the long-term. A home built with energy efficiency in mind will save even more. The old adage “you get what you pay for” rings true when it comes to home builders so look for a good product at a fair price. That’s where you will find true value.

Communication
When choosing a builder, look for one that communicates thoroughly and clearly. The sales associate should be able to give you a good understanding of the options his company offers and the costs involved. As a customer, you should never feel confused, insulted or misled.

Your salesperson should help you through the home buying process. He should have extensive knowledge about his company’s products and be able to help you choose the floor plan and options that will best suit your home site and your family. He should understand not only the sale of the home but its design and construction as well. A salesperson should be patient while educating you about your future home.

If you live in the coastal regions of the Mid-Atlantic states of Virginia, South Carolina or North Carolina, please visit our hurricane information website.

Homes By Vanderbuilt Introduces Eco Cottage Modular Homes

Eco-Cottages can be an affordable and practical solution to providing recreational dwelling needs for your lifestyle.  Eco-Cottages can be built quickly for all environments.

Eco-Cottages are flexible and affordable with high-performance green standards. It is the ultimate high-performance modular structure.

Do you need a small vacation home? Maybe a beach house or a small dwelling next to your swimming pool.  Do you want to add guest quarters to your existing property and allow loved ones to live nearby?  It could be a bungalow built near your favorite golf course. A small second home is a great way to live a lifestyle in which you pursue your passions.

These high-performance modular structures utilize the latest technology and can provide self-sustaining living for your specific plans. So welcome.  Visit Homes By Vanderbuilt model display lot and explore our designs and learn about the endless uses of our new eco-friendly modular homes.

Homes by Vanderbuilt continues success despite downward housing trend.

Changes in the economy and changes in the financial industry put incredible stress on the home building industry as a whole. Most lenders were forced to eliminate many of the options that builders used to finance the high cost of building multiple models for display.

Called “floorplan financing”, these options are lines of credit that builders use to keep fresh, new modular models on display. The disruption in the banking industry has made securing this type of financing increasingly difficult. Banks are only offering affordable floorplan financing to businesses that have a long-standing history of healthy credit and sound financial decision-making.

Many builders did not have the financial stability needed to maintain their floorplan financing and were not able to keep up their displays. They were forced to reduce their inventory or leave models to become badly outdated in features and decor. This contributed to serious declines in sales and the demise of many builders. More than 70% of home builders have failed during the past seven years.

The technology involved in building a modular home has advanced by leaps and bounds. The new eco-friendly methods and materials are impressive in their ability to save both energy and money.

Despite these highs, many modular home builders have suffered and closed in the recession. Against the odds though, Sanford, North Carolina based Homes by Vanderbuilt has continued it’s healthy thirty year success rate.

Homes by Vanderbuilt has succeeded in spite of the negative industry trends. This company has retained its solid standing in financial circles, kept its large model center up to date and has even expanded its award-winning display. The beautiful model center at Homes by Vanderbuilt boasts nearly three dozen fully-decorated homes for visitors to browse.

No other builders can match this display center in size or quality. It remains the largest display of its kind in the US. In addition to the many models on display, Homes by Vanderbuilt also offers a large variety of choices for home buyers. There are over 150 home plans available in many different pricing categories. From value-priced double wides to custom luxury homes, Homes By Vanderbuilt can meet just about any budget.

Homes by Vanderbuilt’s modular homes feature the more exciting trends in the industry. All of their homes surpass Energy Star standards and even more eco-friendly choices are available through the Xtreme Green product line.

Homes by Vanderbuilt continues to uphold its tradition of leadership and strength in the industry, even in these unfavorable economic conditions. For more than a quarter of a century, this company has consistently met and surpassed its customers’ expectations for quality, value and service. Regardless of negative industry trends, this company will continue to thrive well into the future.

Homes by Vanderbuilt is located in Sanford, North Carolina and its showrooms offer more than 100 floor plans from which to choose. For more information on floorplans or to schedule a visit to one of their showrooms, please visit: Homes By Vanderbuilt or Xtreme Green Homes.