EcoSmart homes are more than just a place to live. They’re a place where you can feel good about saving energy, saving money, and saving the environment. Now you may ask yourself, what is the big deal about an EcoSmart house? What sets it apart from an everyday home? We’ve created a side-by-side comparison to help illustrate it clearly.
Comparison
| ESS Certified Home | Standard Home |
| HERS rating of 25 or less (Zero Energy Capable) | HERS rating of 60 or more |
| Average annual energy savings of $1,250 or more | No energy savings |
| Protection vs. future energy cost increases | No protection |
| Higher initial home purchase costs and higher monthly payments | Lower initial purchase cost and lower monthly payments |
| Higher cost offset by monthly energy savings | No energy cost savings |
| ESS operates and maintains the GeoGrid | No GeoGrid |
| Federal Tax Credit, currently $7,000 to $12,000 | No Tax Credit |
| Home complies with current and future building codes | Mandatory efficiency upgrades are possible due to future building codes |
| Ground source heat pumps have a longer life, 20 years+less frequent replacement cost or less, significant replacement cost | Air source heat pumps have a shorter life, 10 years |
| Smart thermostats help optimize energy behavior | Conventional thermostats, you are on your own |
| Integrated ESS energy monitoring, service, and management system | No similar system or service |
| Able to monitor your energy usage in real-time | Find out when you get your bill at month-end |
| Higher resale value | Lower resale value |
| No outside condenser units, all equipment in the home | Need outside condenser units, exposed to the weather |
| Quiet exterior – no noisy condensers | Exterior noise pollution |
| Battery energy storage systems work with the Ground-Source Heat Pumps that can reduce the peak energy demand | Battery storage is an option, but it’s often expensive and not layered with other energy-efficient systems |
| Integration of EV charger is an easy option | EV charger, not a typical option |
| Significant de-Carbonization | Uses fossil fuels and adds carbon to the environment |
| State of the Art system | Same old technology |
| Makes a difference for our environment | Is part of the problem, not the solution |
In Conclusion
EcoSmart is the home of an environmentalist’s dream. An EcoSmart home opens up your eyes to all the ways that our homes can be better. Together, we can create a world of zero energy capable homes that help our environment for the long haul. Have questions or want to partner with EcoSmart? Contact us today!
