What Makes Energy Smart Home Plans So Smart?

Great homes begin with a carefully designed floor plan. At Energy Smart Home Plans (ESHP), we painstakingly design homes to “live bigger” allowing for a more compact footprint that reduces both construction and energy costs — an ESHP signature feature much appreciated by design and cost-conscience homeowners.

To be super energy-efficient and ultimately Net-Zero “ready,” the home’s AC/Heating equipment has been designed within the A/C Conditioned Space. The easy-to-build chases are designed strategically below the attic space. Perceived as architectural upgrades, they result in luxurious 10’ volume ceilings. This planning alone can save 25% to 30% in energy costs. How is this possible? Simply put, the homeowner is no longer paying to push cooled air through a hot attic space.

Additional high-performance features include Raised Heel Trusses, offering more effective attic insulation and deeper overhangs and porches to shade the largest windows. Our 2x6 frame homes employ California Corners for greater exterior wall insulation and we optimize the roof “real estate,” particularly in the rear of the home, in case a power-producing PV array and/or solar hot water system is added.

ESHP specifies only Andersen windows and doors. Building a high-performance home and installing bud- get windows and doors is like leaving one open 24/7. We recommend maximizing your efforts by matching our super energy-efficient homes with the high-performing 100 Series from Andersen Windows and Patio Doors.

Energy Smart Home Plans are not only the first pre-drawn energy-efficient home plans, they are also specifically tailored to the homeowner’s climate zone. In addition, we offer innovations such as our Builder Series Plans and Plan Plus Options.

A Builder series plan has a “sister” or similar plan designed with identical footprint but different interiors, such as a 2nd Master Suite alternative.

A Plan Plus option home contains a popular option within a set of plans. A typical Plan Plus Option includes a Den and Formal Dining swap.

More than ever before, discerning homebuyers demand greater amenities and luxury appointments in better designed, more compact and efficient homes. After all, they plan on living in their homes much longer than they have in recent years.

Energy Smart Home Plans have been designed to deliver on all counts — with standard upgrades previously seen only in much larger and more expensive homes. For example, private toilet rooms, separate vanities, generous walk-in showers, light-gathering windows and luxurious bathtubs are standard in all Master Baths.

All Energy Smart Home Plans have discrete transitions from public to private areas. Translation? You won’t see any bed walls or toilets from a Foyer, Kitchen, Great Room or any other public area.

The result? The homeowner enjoys the look and livability of a much more expensive home while saving a serious amount of cash on energy costs. Careful preparation makes a huge difference, especially in more efficient high-performance homes.*

Even ESHP’s smallest plans offer sweet touches, such as strategically placed lighted niches and natural light-gathering Solatubes that brighten interior places. Why not have these welcome luxuries in a right-sized, more sustainable home?

*Building an Energy Smart, Net- Zero Ready Home Plan is a great start towards maximizing your home’s energy-efficiency and even energy independence. ESHP strongly recommends contacting our preferred Building Science Engineer (see the Home Energy Doctor link), or one in your local area. While location may not be everything, it is vitally important when building a high-performance home. A Building Science professional is essential to optimizing your new Energy Smart Home Plan at a very reasonable cost.