10 Energy-Efficient Products for a More Sustainable Home

This article first appeared in the September/October 2023 issue of Pro Builder.

Not only can energy-efficient home products save homeowners extra cash each month by lowering utility bills, but according to a 2022 report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, they can also improve a home's resale value.

As energy efficiency becomes a higher priority among today's homeowners, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score (HES), which assesses the energy efficiency of a home based on its structure and heating, cooling, and hot-water systems, has a greater influence on home sale prices across the country.

When combined, the following products won't just boost a home's overall energy efficiency, they can also provide long-term cost savings for homeowners.

High-Performance Insulated Glass From Alside

ClimaTech PriME by Alside high-performance insulated glass packages meet Energy Star’s Most Efficient criteria for all four U.S. climate zones, enabling homeowners to lower their utility bills while potentially qualifying for valuable tax credits. Alside’s newest insulated glass packages are now offered on Mezzo and Fairfield 80 Series windows, the company says.

ClimaTech PriME insulated glass from Alside

Leviton Whole-Home Energy Monitor

The Whole Home Energy Monitor and 2nd Gen Smart Circuit Breakers with Remote Control from Leviton deliver a streamlined smart home and energy management experience by unifying control, scheduling, and personalization of Leviton Smart Circuit Breakers, Decora Smart Wi-Fi Lighting, and Evr-Green Electric Vehicle Chargers in a single interface. The Whole Home Energy Monitor allows homeowners to control 2nd Gen Smart Circuit Breakers, schedule breaker activity to reduce energy rate periods, and automate the shedding of nonessential loads remotely via the My Leviton app.

Atlas Roofing Insulated Weather Resistive Barrier for Walls

Atlas Roofing’s EnergyShield Continuous Wall Insulation provides energy savings paired with a weather-resistive barrier (WRB). EnergyShield is made with polyisocyanurate insulation, which meets International Building Code requirements as an approved WRB in the place of No. 15 asphalt felt. By providing an uninterrupted thermal barrier over an entire wall, EnergyShield is effective for thermal, air, moisture, and vapor control.

Smart Home Integration From Airzone Control

HVAC provider Airzone Control recently announced new API (application programming interface) integration with Crestron that allows Crestron Home OS and Airzone-controlled devices to connect without the need for custom programming, additional wiring, or a WAN connection. The combined systems give homeowners the ability to configure HVAC control for an entire home, discrete zones, or individual rooms to closely manage energy output.

Smart home mobile integration from Airzone

Somfy Wireless Solar Panel

Somfy’s wireless Li-ion Solar Panel is a new charging solution compatible with the manufacturer’s range of WireFree motors, making it easier and more energy efficient to automate interior shading solutions, the company says. The Li-ion Solar Panel uses a long-lasting lithium-ion battery for enhanced performance and energy savings.

HIgh-Efficiency Condensing Water Heater by Rheem

The high-efficiency water heaters in Rheem’s RTGH Condensing Series feature a high turn-down ratio (TDR) to achieve tighter control over temperature output, even during lower demand. The units also include a quick-hang bracket system, making one-person installation easier. The RTGH Series includes a digital display for diagnostic information, as well as built-in EcoNet Wi-Fi for real-time service alerts and remote control via Rheem’s mobile app. Though smaller and lighter than previous models, this series uses up to 34% less energy than a standard residential 50-gallon tank water heater, according to Rheem.

Eaton Smart Home App

Brightlayer Home, a new mobile platform from Eaton, is designed to help homeowners install, monitor, and manage infrastructure networks remotely. The app provides power management capabilities across smart breakers, Wi-Fi smart devices, and EV charging to help homeowners reduce their home energy costs. Users can easily view power use for connected appliances and can control connected devices from anywhere. Setup is simplified with a step-by-step guide in the Brightlayer Home app.

Whole-House Fans by Solatube

Engineered Performance Series (EPS) Whole House Fans from Solatube bring in fresh air and can reduce interior temperatures by up to 30 degrees while offering quiet performance using the company’s HushMount 2 technology. The Comfort Control Remote offers seven variable-speed options, and Soft Start technology helps save electricity and extend motor life by mitigating the energy surge typical of conventional fans. An R6 damper door prevents air leaks and helps maintain energy efficiency.

Heat Pump Water Heater From LG

LG’s Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater uses an inverter compressor for quiet operation (42 dBA) and features the company’s Turbo Mode heating technology, which can provide up to 20% more hot water. The water heater’s dual inverter compressor achieves a uniform energy factor (UEF) of 3.75, which is higher than current Energy Star certification requirements (UEF 3.3), according to the company. The unit is compatible with the LG ThinQ app for remote monitoring and control.

Uponor Radiant Heat Panels for Floors

Xpress Trak Radiant Heat Panels from Uponor can be installed under most floor coverings, with no insulation needed, the company says. The single-panel system has lightweight XPS foam at its core, with laminated aluminum around the entire surface for exceptional heat-transfer capability. Panels have a compressive strength of 49 psi to eliminate floor deflection, and an R-value of 3.13 that allows energy use to heat the space rather than charging and storing energy in the panel.