What You Don't See Can Save You Money

Stepping into one of our beautiful model homes, you may be awed by the gorgeous countertops, two-story family rooms and spa-like bathrooms, but what you don't see is just as important — and will even save you money over the life of your new home. We're talking about energy efficiency, and important advances have been made even in the last five years. What you don't see when looking at a model home is the type of insulation used or the HVAC system installed. You might be charmed by a big bay window, but not think about how it's been installed — or how much heat you might lose through it when winter knocks on your door. Yet all of the things you don't see can either add to your energy bills or subtract from them. Due to advances in building science and stricter building codes, new homes are now 20 percent more efficient — even those built just five years ago. APS ENERGY STAR® Homes — such as those offered by Westin Homes and Chesmar Homes in Woodridge Forest — are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than typical new homes. In addition, ENERGY STAR® homes and those constructed to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) program are verified through third-party inspectors so you know your home will be more energy efficient and will save you money on heating and cooling bills. What makes a new home more energy efficient than an older home? Most new homes include a variety of "tried-and-true" features such as:

• Effective insulation
• High-performance windows and doors
• Tight construction and ducts
• Efficient heating and cooling equipment
• Efficient products and appliances

Beyond certification, there is the HERS score that the Department of Energy adopted as an industry standard as a sort of "miles per gallon" rating for homes. A typical 10-year-old home has a HERS score of 100. Today's new homes score much lower. Gehan Homes' designs, for example, generally score a 69. When it comes to HERS, a lower rating means less energy used and more cost savings. All Woodridge Forest builders — Westin Homes, Gehan Homes, Chesmar Homes and Saratoga Homes — construct homes using the latest energy-efficient materials, saving you money for years after you purchase your new home. In the long run, this doesn't just mean you save money. It means you have fewer worries and more time to spend at our resort-style amenities— including our pool, clubhouse and stocked fishing ponds — and accessing theKingwood Service Associationwith 16 more pools and 75 miles of trails.