“If you’d asked me two years ago if consumers were looking for energy efficient homes, I’d have said, ‘No way,’” remarks second generation builder David Embry. “But today’s consumers are so educated. They’ve been on the Internet and researched building materials and construction standards. They know what they’re looking for, and one of those things is energy efficiency.”

Embry Custom Home, LLC, is one of many participating builders in the year-old Right ChoiceTM program, a partnership between Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) and Southface. Homes built under the Right Choice program feature the latest in high-tech, new home performance testing and guaranteed energy savings.

A natural partnership

The Right Choice partnership between Southface and Jackson EMC was a natural pairing. Jackson EMC has been a trusted name in Northeast Georgia for 65 years and is Georgia’s largest not-for-profit electrical cooperative. Southface brings to the table its nationally recognized expertise in energy efficiency, building science and environmental sustainability.
“Both organizations are dedicated to energy efficiency, quality home building and homeowner comfort. Right Choice is a great way to improve the environment and save homeowners money on their utility bills,” says Southface Executive Director Dennis Creech.
“Jackson EMC has been deeply involved in energy conservation programs for more than 30 years,” says Jackson EMC Residential Marketing Director Amy Bryan. “Even when it seemed energy efficiency was not a viable strategy, we stayed with it, offering newer, improved energy efficient home programs as technology evolved. Right Choice is a culmination of that effort. This partnership will produce environmentally friendly homes that will be both comfortable and economical for years to come.”

Doing the right thing Southface has long been a champion of energy efficient construction. “Given the world instability that has and continues to impact our oil supply, the price of gasoline and natural gas, coal production and delivery, we really must focus on energy efficient construction, energy conservation and sustainability,” says Creech. A year into the program, Bryan feels that Right Choice is even more in sync with today’s environmental concerns, even ahead of its time in some respects. “Right Choice is out in front of the statewide initiatives in Georgia. Even with recent recommendations by the Georgia Public Service Commission’s Demand Side Management (DSM) Working Group,” she says.

Erin Shapiro and Josh Duckwall answered questions about the Right Choice program at the Jackson EMC annual meeting.

Builders and contractors get on board

With just one year under its belt, through the new Jackson EMC program, Southface has provided training to 164 builders, 103 HVAC contractors and 58 air sealing contractors not only on the Right Choice processes and standards, but also on the Georgia Energy Code.
Southface calculates the heating and cooling loads for the homes’ electric heat pumps, based on industry standards, to ensure the heat pump is properly sized for the home’s needs and will work at peak efficiency. “Right Choice has been instrumental in holding our heating and air contractors to a higher level of quality,” Star Home Builders’ Max Volk says. “It’s very helpful in properly sizing our heating and air equipment.”

During construction, Southface technicians inspect for proper air sealing and duct installation, as well as pressure test the duct system to measure air leakage. “This is currently the best energy efficient program that I’ve worked with,” says Wayne Alton of Rowe Insulation Company, Inc. “The blocking and sealing requirements are unique to the Right Choice program alone.”

When the home is complete, state-of-the art diagnostic equipment tests the home’s energy-efficiency. This includes a blower door test for air tightness and an e-Scan test of the heating and air conditioning system performance. The e-Scan test measures airflow in each room and sends the information wirelessly to a laptop computer. Then sophisticated software analyzes the overall performance of the system. The e-Scan test confirms that airflow to each room is sufficient to ensure comfort.

“While the program may create a bit more work for the builder, the end result is much better,” notes Embry. “We felt we’d been doing a good job of sealing our houses, but Right Choice is better. I was surprised at the difference it made; the house is so much tighter.”
Performance testing sets Right Choice homes apart, ensuring energy code compliance is not left to overworked contractors and building inspectors. Embry feels that the testing has, “made our subs get on their toes and make sure things are done right.”

When construction is complete, Right Choice covers each home with a three-year energy warranty guaranteeing that the energy cost to heat and cool the house will be below a specified amount each year. Southface also provides a one-year comfort warranty that guarantees that each room will stay within three degrees of the thermostat setting. Homeowners are eligible for Jackson EMC’s Right Choice rate, designed to encourage energy efficient construction and save the homebuyer an average of 5 percent each year on their electric bill.

Participating builders feel Right Choice is an investment in homeowner satisfaction. “The Right Choice inspections help us to ensure a quality house,” comments Clint Griffith of McLintack Construction Corporation.

Currently, 1,385 Right Choice homes have been completed or are in the construction process. Jackson EMC is also working with area builders on another 4,000 homes that are in the rezoning and planning stage of development. “We spend money to do things for the consumer, and Right Choice is one of those things,” explains Embry. “It’s energy savings that we pay for and provide for our homeowners. And, the better the house we build, the more houses we’re going to sell.”

Helping the environment, saving energy dollars

The increased energy efficiency of a Right Choice home has a measurable environmental impact. Every 1,000 Right Choice homes built is the equivalent of taking 730 cars off the road or planting 1,000 acres of trees. Right Choice homes sold to date equal 1,011 cars off the road and nearly 1,400 acres of trees planted.

And, a Right Choice home provides homeowners with measurable dollar savings on their energy bill. Based on a 2,250-square-foot house (one story on slab with a bonus room over the garage), making the “Right Choice” can save $351 per year over a typical home with a high-efficiency natural gas furnace, and $213 per year over a typical home with a high-efficiency heat pump. The larger the home, the more the savings.

Making a real difference

“After working with and managing energy efficient programs for over 28 years, I believe that true sustainable living begins at home,” Bryan says. “If we understand and embrace the wise use of energy at home, then we will carry that philosophy into the workplace and increase corporate awareness and adherence to its value. This is the real way to make a difference in our environment and energy sustainability.”