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Integrity of Architecture in Modern Homes: Functionality and Efficiency

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Integrity is more than just a word here at ICON Homes.  We take this word very seriously; it represents the high standards we set for ourselves as a builder, designer, and people working for and helping in the community.  It is applied in every step of our process and has been the way we approach any new project. So while we have been building homes for over 15 years, we would like to dedicate the time to begin talking about some of the new and exciting things that ICON is doing with our homes. Because it’s not just about building a modern home that looks beautiful—although that goes without saying— it’s about transforming people’s lives throughout the construction of something that will not only be an integral part of their lives but a conversational piece for years to come.

While there can be a full blog post dedicated to each of these features individually, let’s look at a brief overview of some of the characteristics that make our homes stand out from other custom home builders in El Paso. We’ll be discussing each one in detail in future posts.

About Our Energy Efficient Features

When it comes to energy efficiency, our homes are far ahead of the pack. We have invested a lot of time researching the best and newest amenities available in homes being built today and looking for ways to implement them at a reasonable price to give our future homeowners a true sense of value in their purchase. Each home has a posted HERS score that is given by certified raters which are recognized by federal government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. mortgage industry.

Spray Foam Insulation

All of our homes are built exclusively with 100% spray foam insulation on all of the exterior walls and roof deck. What does this mean to you? It means a better and more effective home insulation, and therefore energy savings that you can see stay in your pocketbook. Spray foam is designed to expand (up to 100 times its original size) in volume to fill air spaces—big and small—without compressing or sagging over time.

Air leakage can account for up to 40% of energy cost to heat and cool your home. Spray foam has been proven to be the most effective barrier against air leaks. The chemical properties of the foam create this perfect air barrier that withstands exterior elements and provides the necessary R-value to meet and exceed the Energy Code requirements. In fact, most spray foams will come with a lifetime warranty, which adds yet another benefit and value to our customers.

Tankless Water Heaters

These types of heaters are now becoming more and more popular and accepted as the next step towards having a truly energy efficient home. This water heater will typically use 30 to 50 percent less energy than units with tanks. For homes that use less than 41 gallons of water a day, they can be up to 24% to 34% more energy efficient than the conventional storage tank water heater. These classic water heaters heat water constantly, thus spending energy all day. Tankless water heaters heat up water only when you turn on the faucet, which is why they are often called “on demand” water heaters.

Insulated Foundation

Make your next home an ICON, and stand high above the rest! Part of the reason why our homes have some of the best features and amenities is that we construct a home that will not only be comfortable and convenient, but that will provide your family with optimal performance. We build modern homes that are meant to last and to do far more than just look pretty. Connect with us today to learn more about what we have to offer.

Build with Integrity and Make Your Home An ICON

These types of heaters are now becoming more and more popular and accepted as the next step towards having a truly energy efficient home. This water heater will typically use 30 to 50 percent less energy than units with tanks. For homes that use less than 41 gallons of water a day, they can be up to 24% to 34% more energy efficient than the conventional storage tank water heater. These classic water heaters heat water constantly, thus spending energy all day. Tankless water heaters heat up water only when you turn on the faucet, which is why they are often called “on demand” water heaters.

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RESNET Energy smart builder

ICON Home Custom Builder is proud to be a RESNET Energy Smart Builder and is committed to increasing the energy performance of the custom homes we build..

Outside of a mortgage loan, the highest cost of homeownership is energy. That’s why smart homebuyers ask for a home’s HERS Index Score to determine its energy efficiency before buying. The HERS Index Score is like an MPG (miles-per-gallon) sticker for homes. After all, it makes sense to know the energy performance of a home before making the investment.

Visit Hersindex.com for more information.

Some answers that will help you in the process

With home energy costs skyrocketing, it only makes sense to find out how energy efficient a home really is. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that a home built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code uses 30% less energy than older homes. Many builders today are building homes that use 70% less energy than existing ones.

A home built to the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code is awarded a rating of 100 on the HERS Index. This is taken as the RESNET Reference Home. The lower a home rates, the more energy efficient it is. Therefore, a home with a rating of 70 on the HERS Index is 30% more efficient than the RESNET Reference Home. A rating of 130, however, is 30% less efficient than the RESNET Reference Home.

The RESNET HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. The HERS or Home Energy Rating System was developed by RESNET and is the nationally recognized system for inspecting, testing and calculating a home’s energy performance. Certified RESNET Home Energy Raters conduct inspections to verify a home’s energy efficiency and recommend improvements that can be made to increase it.