Capstone Homes
Capstone Homes is Northern Arizona’s largest homebuilder of new home communities of custom quality and custom homes in Flagstaff and Prescott. Capstone Homes was one of the first homebuilders in the region to have their homes Energy Star® certified, which is now exceeded by their homes that are Zero Energy Ready certified. Capstone Homes has been honored with Housing Innovation Awards by the Department of Energy and is an Energy Star Partner, Indoor airPLUS Partner and WaterSense Partner, all of which enlist a RESNET rater certification.
In this month’s feature we ask Mary Norton, Marketing Director with Capstone Homes, to share her thoughts on HERS® Rated homes.
Q: What is special about a HERS® Rated home?
A: A HERS®-rated home is inspected by a 3rd party RESNET professional which offers the homebuyer the assurance and proof the home has been built to a higher standard for optimum energy efficiency, indoor comfort, long lasting durability, superior quality and value. An Energy Star certified home by Capstone Homes typically scores in the 60s while our Zero Energy Ready Homes typically score in the 50s resulting in homes that are 40%-50% more efficient than a standard-built new home and dramatically more efficient that an older resale home.
Q: Why should consumers ask for the HERS® Index Score on homes they are shopping for?
A: When shopping for a new home, today’s smart homebuyer compares everything. A HERS® Index Score is an important part of that comparison that provides facts about the energy efficiency of the home which translates to added value and results in long-term savings of monthly energy costs.
Q: Why does Capstone Homes have their homes HERS® Rated?
A: Capstone Homes is proud to build HERS®-rated homes as it supports our commitment not only to our own Energy Efficiency Elevated standards, but to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency programs we partner with such as Energy Star, Zero Energy Ready, Indoor airPLUS and WaterSense.
Q: Why consumers should expect energy efficient homes?
A: Energy efficiency is at the forefront of today’s environmental concerns and is the future. Capstone Homes is pleased to be leading the call to action by building homes that are the highest level of energy efficiency available today resulting in savings, value and a better quality of life. Our HERS®-rated homes are less expensive to operate with lower utility bills, healthier to live in, and provide superior quality.
Q: How many homes does Capstone Homes build with HERS® per year?
A: All our production homes are HERS-rated, and we offer the same energy efficiency package to our custom homes as well. Capstone Homes built 118 homes in 2018 and expects to build 150 homes in 2019.
Q: How does Capstone Homes market HERS® Rated homes?
A: Marketing our HERS®-rated homes is an exciting endeavor as it involves education and outreach to our homebuyers and community at large. Our model homes and sales offices illustrate the advantages and value of owning a HERS®-rated home with each floorplan display showcasing the HERS® Index Score and estimated energy savings. Inviting displays, feature call-outs, literature and informed sales counselors further our marketing efforts on-site. Our website offers an in-depth look at all our programs and features that contribute to our advantageous HERS® Index Scores.
Q: How do your customers feel about HERS® Rated homes?
A: Our HERS®-rated homes achieve their impressive score by having superior spray foam insulation, Energy Star appliances, low E windows, WaterSense water fixtures, tankless water heaters, and Indoor airPLUS features such as fresh air exchange energy recovery ventilators, low VOC paints and materials. When homebuyers learn of these features and the advantages of owning a HERS®-rated home by Capstone Homes, it is a realization of how their new home can benefit them from the moment they move-in, for as long as they live in the home and even at resale.
