S&A Homes
S&A Homes’ architectural & construction teams are trained and tested to ensure they use the most up-to-date building science technologies in the design and construction of a home. The result is the E-home, which is a high performance home that is not only energy efficient but also eco-friendly, resulting in a healthier home. The E-home has received numerous awards and has been featured in hundreds of newspapers and trade publications throughout the United States for raising the standards of quality in the home-building industry.
In this month’s feature, we asked S&A Homes Online Sales & Marketing Manager Janice Glessner to share some insight on building HERS® homes for their customers.
Q: What is special about a HERS® Rated home?
A: Janice: Similar to the MPG on a new car, the proof of a home’s efficiency is in its Home Energy Rating Score (HERS) This critical piece of information, provided by an independent third party inspector, provides a home’s specific energy score and efficiency details. With HERS, a high score indicates excessive waste and expensive utility bills, while a lower score indicates the home is built to optimize energy efficiency and lower utility expenses.
Q: Why should consumers ask for the HERS® Index Score on homes they are shopping for?
A: Janice: Many consumers mistakenly think all new homes are built to the same standards. Unfortunately, those living in a code- built new home will waste thousands of dollars on additional utility expenses compared to an S&A Homeowner over a 7-year period. The average S&A Home has a 65 HERS® score, which is 35% more efficient than a standard code-built new home. Consumers should always ask a builder for an average HERS® score since this information can translate to significant savings on energy costs every year.
Q: Why does S&A Homes choose to have their homes HERS® Rated?
A: Janice: There are few decisions that are more important than investing in a new home. We recognize this, and it’s one of the reasons that we are committed to delivering an optimal home that provides the best possible value to our homeowners. We include the industry’s newest and most effective technology innovations, and approach energy efficiency from a whole-house performance perspective. Every home we build is an e-Home – a highly energy efficient, eco-friendly home that protects our homeowner’s investment, is kinder to the environment, and is healthier and more comfortable to live in. We are proud to have each of our homes HERS® scored by an independent 3rd party since it supports our commitment and provides peace of mind to our homeowners.
Q: Why consumers should expect energy-efficient homes?
A: Janice: The movement towards energy efficiency is not slowing down. It’s quickly become a standard feature that all of our homeowners want, and they shouldn’t settle for less in today’s market. Why waste money unnecessarily on a home that is not efficient? Homeowners also need to know that they are living in a home that is healthy for their family, and for the environment.
Q: How many homes does S&A Homes build with HERS® per year?
A: Janice: For the last 10 years, we have built between 100-200 homes per year, and every home we build is HERS® rated. Our focus on building a quality, energy efficient home goes back even further. For many years prior, we carried out a series of independent tests on our homes including air sealing and blower door tests, HVAC equipment certifications, and more.
Q: How do you market HERS® Rated homes?
A: Janice: We get the word out about our HERS® rated homes through a variety of channels including our website, social media posts, signage, and brochure materials.
Q: How do your customers feel about HERS® Rated homes?
A: Janice: Our customers love the fact that all of our homes are rated by an independent third party, which gives them peace of mind. Our customer satisfaction surveys indicate that buyers are enjoying a comfortable home and that energy costs are what they expect – and many times better than expected!
