Energy Efficiency
Efficient and Renewable
Riverwood Homes is committed to building high-performing houses that exceed the minimum building code requirements to deliver our customers a long-lasting home with minimal utility costs. Our homes also have a minimized impact on the environment because of our energy-efficient appliances and building practices. We also use renewable energy by installing solar panels on our houses! All of our homes are certified by Energy Star, and they are independently tested and assigned a Resnet HERS score. Please ask for your home's incredibly low HERS score!
Benefits to You the Homeowner
Renewable Energy
Starting in 2024 we started including solar panels on our houses. In Idaho we include 10 panels equaling 4.1 kW, and in Washington we provide at least 3,600 kW of energy annually. This amount of solar panels provides a substantial offset to your electric bill, and you can claim $4,500 in tax credits. Your home's value is enhanced by these panels, and you will be able to command a higher selling price when you ultimately decide to sell your home. The solar package is not leased so there is no monthly obligation, just savings! And the savings just grow as utility rates increase.
Learn more on our Solar page.
Cost Savings
Our homes are built with highly efficient appliances, enhanced insulation, low-E windows, and minimal leakage to the outdoors, so your monthly utility bills will be very low. Since our HVAC ducting is located within the thermal envelope of the house, the air isn't exposed to the extreme temperatures of the attic. The Resnet HERS scores we obtain from a 3rd party tester indicate that our homes will save you hundreds of dollars per year on utility bills compared to other new homes built only to the minimum required standards. And of course your solar panels will bring your already low utility bill substantially lower!
Comfort
Because our houses have enhanced insulation and low levels of air leakage, the temperatures inside your home will be stable and consistent, so you shouldn't experience draftiness or cold spots. Our high-efficiency HVAC systems are rigorously designed and balanced, and our two-story houses are zoned, so you won't feel noticeably warmer or cooler temperatures on each level of the house.
Certified
All of our houses certified by Energy Star 3.2. This program requires us to build in a healthy and energy-efficient way and at much higher performance standards than local building codes. This sets us apart from other builders in our markets and pushes us to constantly stay on the cutting edge of innovation in the industry.
In the past, Energy Star requirements were much easier to meet, so many builders participated. Recently, however, the Energy Star program raised its standards, making it harder for other builders to meet the new requirements, and making the Energy Star program much more exclusive than it used to be. We feel that by meeting these stricter guidelines Riverwood Homes stands out in its pursuits to build energy efficient homes that perform at a high level.