|
FAQ
What is a Progress Energy Home Advantage home?
Home Advantage homes are new homes certified as ENERGY STAR and include a minimum of 14 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) heating and cooling equipment. This means they meet or exceed guidelines established by ENERGY STAR for heating and cooling, insulation and other measures. These homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than standard homes and also qualify for Progress Energy's 5 percent energy discount for the life of the house.
Why is Progress Energy offering this program?
The Home Advantage program is designed to increase the number of energy-efficient ENERGY STAR certified homes in the Progress Energy's service territory. This will result in the reduction of electricity use, especially during periods of high demand, which can delay the need for new power plants. ENERGY STAR homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). In addition, it is generally less expensive to build homes to higher energy-efficiency standards than to retrofit the homes later. As this area continues to experience a high level of new residential construction with approximately 16,000 new housing units each year, it is critical to everyone's energy future that these new homes be as energy efficient in possible. (Unfortunately, in 2007, fewer than 3 percent of new homes in our North Carolina and South Carolina service area met ENERGY STAR standards.) Programs like Home Advantage will continue to be part of Progress Energy's balanced solution for meeting the challenges of growing energy demand, rising fuel costs and global climate change.
How do I ensure that my new home meets the Home Advantage requirements?
- Choose an official Progress Energy Home Advantage Builder from this list of builders who build ENERGY STAR homes.
- Work with your Home Advantage builder to create a plan for building a new home that meets ENERGY STAR's requirements for energy efficiency.
- Your builder will work with an independent Home Energy Rater (HERS rater) who will inspect and test your home during and after construction to verify that it meets ENERGY STAR requirements. For a list of qualified HERS Raters click here.
- The HERS rater provides an ENERGY STAR certificate that verifies the home meets all specified requirements.
- The builder or HERS rater sends the ENERGY STAR certificate and other verification paperwork to Progress Energy to qualify your home for a 5 percent discount for the life of the home.
How do I find a Home Advantage Builder?
For a list of Home Advantage builders and manufacturers click here.
The builder I want to use is not a Home Advantage Builder. How can he get the details on how to build an ENERGY STAR qualified home so that I can save energy and get Progress Energy's 5 percent energy discount?
Have the builder call us at 1.800.327.8704 for details on how to become a Home Advantage builder.
Where can I learn more about ENERGY STAR's requirements for new homes?
Your Home Advantage builder is the best resource for helping ensure that your new home meets ENERGY STAR requirements. You can also visit ENERGY STAR's Web site for complete details on the features and benefits of these energy-efficient homes.
How much can a Home Advantage home really save me over a standard new home?
Because they are certified as ENERGY STAR, these homes are at least 15 percent more energy efficient than standard homes. They also qualify for a 5 percent Progress Energy discount for the life of the house.
The energy and money you'll save when you invest in an energy-efficient Home Advantage home will actually pay you back month over month. In fact, the total cost of home ownership could go down by hundreds of dollars every year. For example:
| |
When you add $1,500 for energy-efficiency upgrades to the cost of a $200,000 home:
-
The mortgage goes up by just $9 a month. (Assuming a fixed 30-year, 6 percent mortgage.)
-
Monthly utility bills could come down by as much as $31 per month.
-
This adds up to a net savings of $22 a month, or $264 a year. And that's before the 5 percent monthly energy discount!
|
|
Who do I contact with additional questions about the Home Advantage program?
Call us toll free at 1.800.327.8704 for additional assistance.
|
