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Forum Thread

New Home construction

270 199 September 21, 2017 at 09:01 PM in Chat (2)
We are building a new home in Arkansas, two-storied and about 3,600 sqft.

I am seeking ideas with respect to making our home "smart" save money and add value. I highly appreciate any suggestions or ideas. Regarding "smart" home, is a WiFi thermostat enough or would a Nest Thermostat worth the extra money.

Our electricity rates are in the lower spectrum and we are not too obsessed with making the home too energy efficient.

I read some articles that state attic fans are actually bad. Any personal experiences?

Are there any resources geared towards to new home constructions. Most of the resources I find are either too specific or too general.

Thanks in advance.
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Joined Jul 2003
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> bubble2 35,473 Posts
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DC
09-28-2017 at 09:04 AM.
09-28-2017 at 09:04 AM.
Quote from zzyzzx :
That type of thing can change. I would plan on making it as efficient as I could with thicker outside walls so more insulation can be added.
I agree that energy rates can and will change, but if they used closed cell spray foam vs. thicker walls, they would get a better ROI on the foam vs. battens in a thicker stud wall IMO.
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Joined Nov 2006
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> bubble2 8,339 Posts
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LC2
09-30-2017 at 04:28 AM.
09-30-2017 at 04:28 AM.
A solar powered hot water heater for about $1,500. People in my neighborhood dig that.

Tube skylights are very popular - you get a lot of natural light.
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Joined Feb 2010
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> bubble2 4,199 Posts
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idkist
10-03-2017 at 06:48 AM.
10-03-2017 at 06:48 AM.
We signed our contract yesterday Whee woot Whee
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Joined Jul 2003
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> bubble2 35,473 Posts
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DC
10-03-2017 at 07:20 AM.
10-03-2017 at 07:20 AM.
Quote from idkist :
We signed our contract yesterday Whee woot Whee
Congrats!
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Joined Dec 2004
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> bubble2 15,462 Posts
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acesmuzic | Staff
10-03-2017 at 08:10 AM.
10-03-2017 at 08:10 AM.
Quote from idkist :
We signed our contract yesterday Whee woot Whee
congrats! woot Cheers woot
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Joined Feb 2010
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> bubble2 4,199 Posts
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idkist
10-03-2017 at 10:55 AM.
10-03-2017 at 10:55 AM.
Thanks High Five

Edit:
I should be one of first few houses built. I guess there's 3 people total that are starting the process so far.


Forgot to mention... The development is called Alexandria...
So I should be good in event of a Zombie Apocalypse...


And I think these may be my neighbors...
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Last edited by idkist October 4, 2017 at 04:02 AM.
Joined Jun 2006
Jambi-rific in Seattle!
> bubble2 31,436 Posts
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Zoe Moon
10-09-2017 at 02:15 PM.
10-09-2017 at 02:15 PM.
Good luck selling it in a few years, McMansions are on the way out, too much expense and maintenance, plus they appeal to a small portion of buyers when you do need to sell so selling takes longer.

Whole house fans are good if you live in an area that is very hot during the day but cools off once the sun goes down. It can save quite a bit on your AC bill.
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