The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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November 3, 2009

<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/tuesday.gif" border=0> Home reduces energy costs; receives certification from Empire

By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

The first new home constructed to achieve an Energy Star certification from Empire District Electric Co. was showcased last week during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The house, in a new subdivision at 3318 S. Patterson Court, was constructed by Landis Construction, of Joplin, and was certified by William Crane with Crane Home Energy Consulting.

Crane said the features that make the house more efficient than others cannot be easily seen from the outside.

“They’re all covered up,” he said. “The difference will be seen in the performance. The owner of this house (Mike Landis) will see lower bills. We project this house will save $517 a year in energy costs.”

Crane said the energy-saving features cost more upfront, but those costs eventually are recovered by the homeowner.

Landis said the 2,400-square-foot house features a tankless water heater, cellular insulation in 2-by-6 exterior walls, high-efficiency windows, high-efficiency appliances, tight construction practices and correctly installed ductwork.

With the tankless water heater, the water is heated with natural gas only when the faucet is turned on. With a conventional tank water heater, the heater is cycling on and off, heating water when it might not be needed, Landis said.

Many of the improvements can qualify the homeowner for an energy tax credit when it comes time to pay income tax, the men said.

Crane said windows were positioned to maximize solar heating in the winter and to minimize the need for air conditioning in the summer. He said contractors can reduce heating and air-conditioning costs by building a house right at the beginning. That would include tight seals and the correct insulation.

“You need to get it right before you go forward,” he said. “You need to build with an eye to details when it comes to energy use in the summer and winter.”

Landis said the housing market in Joplin is depressed because of the economy. He said he believes that when the spec market comes back, a home that demonstrates energy savings will be “an easy sell.”

Empire is offering $400 incentives to perform home energy audits and an $800 incentive to builders for each home that achieves the Energy Star Qualified Home designation.

Sherry McCormack, Empire’s energy-efficiency coordinator, said the Energy Star program was created to encourage local construction of more energy-efficient homes.

“We’re very pleased to see completion of the first home under this program,” she said, commending Landis Construction for being a leader in the field.

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