Shaw Homes "Energy Efficiency 411 - Saving Money Buys More Home" - New Homes Tulsa

Energy Efficiency 411

Shaw Homes is continuously reviewing what steps we take and materials we use to make our homes more energy efficient than the competition.  One of the greatest advantages to new construction homes built by Shaw Homes is the cutting edge energy efficiency and the warranty we stand behind.

To best illustrate how important saving money on energy is, consider this:  Every $100/mon. you lower your monthly home ownership expenses equates to $20,000 in purchasing power.  In other words, if you moved into a new Shaw home that saved you $100/mon. on your total power bills, that means you could spend about an extra $20,000 on your new home without raising your monthly payment from your existing home (not taking into account any changes in interest/taxes/PMI/insurance).

Following is a partial list of energy features we use to help our new homeowners save money:

• ·         Low-E Argon filled vinyl-tilt, dual-pane energy efficient windows.
• ·         Owens Corning® R-32 blown-in-ceiling insulation and R-13 exterior wall batts with zero tolerance application.
• ·         All exterior doors, windows and penetrations are Dow energy sealed, energy efficient and weather sealed.  Insulated fiberglass entry door with continuous weather stripping protection.
• ·         Dupont® Tyvek house wrap for moisture vapor protection.
• ·         Carrier® 80% high efficiency gas furnace.
• ·         13 SEER Carrier high efficiency cooling equipment.
• ·         Zoned heating and cooling with 2 separate units on 2 story homes for extreme energy efficiency.
• ·         A.O. Smith® 50 gallon high efficiency gas water heater.
• ·         Warsbo® pex freeze tolerant plumbing.

Shaw Homes builds energy efficient homes in Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore, and the surrounding Tulsa area.  Our homes come with a 2 year/10 year warranty package, showing our commitment to happy customers, and that we stand behind the homes we build.

Shaw Homes has been building new homes in Broken Arrow since 1985.  With new home communities located in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore.  We also build homes on private land. 

To view new home floorplans, communities and more, spend some time checking out our website at www.ShawHomes.com.

Shaw Homes "Energy Efficiency 301 - Water Heater and Furnace" - New Homes Tulsa

Energy Efficiency 301 – Water Heater and Furnace

Insulating your water heater – As much as you enjoy a nice warm blanket during the winter, your water heater will pay you to wrap it up!  According to the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy), a fiberglass insulating blanket on a water heater that is in an unheated space can cut heat loss from your water heater by 25% to 40%, saving you 4%-9% on the average water-heating bill of $308.  A good water heater blanket runs about $30, and is easy to install.  Check with the manufacturer before installing one to make sure it’s right for your unit, and that you install it without blocking critical components.

Water heater temp – Check your water heater temperature setting and make sure that it is no higher than 125 degrees.  120 degrees is usually more than adequate for household water use, including showers and baths.  At 125 degrees you can still scald your skin.

Furnace health and your health –

·         When your air filters get dirty, your furnace will have to run more often to heat or cool your home.  The furnace is denied the volume of air necessary to push the required amount of hot air into the home.  With spring bringing dogs shedding their winter coats and high pollen count, your filters need far more attention than normal.  Add this task to your iPad, phone, or calendar to check your air filters every 30 days. 

·         DO NOT SKIMP ON AIR FILTERS!  When you are standing in the store looking at air filters and there is one for $7 and one for $16, the $7 filter seems like such a great deal.  It’s not.  The cheap air filters allow the pressure of your air system to pull more of the build-up on the filter into your system, causing both health problems and possible system failure down the road.

·         Have your system maintained twice a year, once in the spring and again in the fall.  Just like your car gets better gas mileage when it’s properly tuned, your HVAC will operate more efficiently when it’s properly maintained.  Also like your car, if problems are caught early, they usually cost far less to repair.  A local HVAC company you can call is Cartwright Heating and Cooling at (918)299-5161.

Shaw Homes uses water heaters that have a foam wrap inside the unit, making it energy efficient without you having to do anything other than setting the water temperature as low as you are comfortable with. 

Shaw Homes builds energy efficient homes in Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore, and the surrounding Tulsa area.  Our homes come with a 2 year/10 year warranty package, showing our commitment to happy customers, and that we stand behind the homes we build.

Shaw Homes has been building new homes in Broken Arrow since 1985.  With new home communities located in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore.  We also build homes on private land. 

To view new home floorplans, communities and more, spend some time checking out our website at www.ShawHomes.com.

Shaw Homes "Energy Efficiency 201 - Doors, Openings" - New Homes Tulsa

Energy Efficiency 201 – Doors, Openings

It certainly doesn’t feel like the hot weather is right around the corner, but it is.  Use this delayed spring cold spell to your advantage and find out where energy is leaving your home.  Any opening in a home that leads outside is a possible money thief.  As your furnace burns to keep you warm, openings like chimneys, exterior doors, and garage doors can keep it running longer by letting heat escape.  The same openings will have your air conditioner running longer during the summer.  Here are some tips to keep your heating and cooling bills lower regardless of what season it is:

·         Door seals – The favorite test for drafts is to carefully use a candle near any openings to see if the flame moves.  If you find a door that is allowing a draft in, you may need to replace the weather stripping around the door.  Often the seal is still solid except at the bottom of the door.  An easy remedy is to use a Draft Snake.  Draft Snakes are long cloth bags that are filled with rice or sand to conform to the door and floor, and you simply lay them at the base of the door to block the draft.

·         Fireplace openings – Anyone that has a fireplace in Oklahoma knows how loud the wind can sound inside the home.  An easy and efficient way to stop drafts from a fireplace, and keep your heat from flowing out of your chimney, is a Chimney Pillow, or Fireplace Plug.  This is basically an inflatable plug that comes in different shapes and sizes that will stop air from coming in or going out of your fireplace when not in use.  Visit this website for more detailed info.: http://www.batticdoor.com/fireplacedraftstopper.html

·         Garage door – Many home designs have a closet that is accessible from the garage that contains the water heater.  If the garage door is poorly sealed during the winter, your power/gas bill will be higher.  A simple inspection of your current doors seal around the edges, including the top and bottom, should tell you if it’s good or bad.  There are many easy ways to close the gaps, and we recommend a visit to your local hardware, Lowes, or Home Depot.  Use your cell phone and take pictures of the gaps and what surfaces are involved where they exist.  Show these pictures to your hardware helper to get the best remedy.

Shaw Homes builds energy efficient homes in Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore, and the surrounding Tulsa area.  Our homes come with a 2 year/10 year warranty package, showing that we stand behind the homes we build.

Shaw Homes has been building new homes in Broken Arrow since 1985.  With new home communities located in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore.  We also build homes on private land. 

To view new home floorplans, communities and more, spend some time checking out our website at www.ShawHomes.com.

Shaw Homes "Energy Efficiency 101 - Windows" - New Homes Tulsa

Energy Efficiency 101 - Windows

Now more than ever it’s important to pay attention to where your money is going.  With hotter temperatures on the horizon, we will focus on summer conditions.  Trying to cool your home when it’s not properly sealed from the outside elements can add up to thousands of dollars over time.  Shaw Homes are built with dual pane insulated windows and won’t require any of these steps:

• Inspect the inside and outside edges of each window to determine the condition of the caulk.  With high summer heat the caulk will age more rapidly.  Look for cracks and gaps.  If you find a lot of them, it’s time to re-caulk.
• Window Insulation Kit – 3M.  Using double sided tape, a thin sheet of plastic is stretched over the window and attached around the window frame, then it’s tightened using a hair dryer.  This method is effective and cheap and easy to apply.
• Foam Weather Stripping – This product is great for sealing gaps in both windows and doors.  Fairly easy to apply, however the adhesive has a chance of damaging paint when being removed.

Shaw Homes has been building new homes in Broken Arrow since 1985.  With new home communities located in Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, Claremore.  We also build homes on private land. 

To view new home floorplans, communities and more, spend some time checking out our website at www.ShawHomes.com.