When you think about building a home, you often focus on what you can see—kitchen finishes, flooring, and layout. But how often do you think twice about what you can’t see? Things like building materials. Heating and cooling systems. Water-saving opportunities.
Modern features matter to homebuyers. In a recent homebuyer survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by KB Home, 86% of homebuyers expressed that they were not willing to sacrifice the opportunity to have lower energy and water utility bills when a fixed budget is a factor.
Homeowners understand the impact of energy efficient systems. From the monthly bills to the overall comfort and carbon footprint, energy-efficient homes aren’t just a trend... they’re a smarter way to build. And when you’re starting from scratch with new home construction, you have more control than you think.
Why Efficiency Should Be Discussed Upfront
Too often, energy use is an afterthought during home construction. But what if it was a starting point?
“A home’s energy efficiency isn’t always visible, but it has a real impact on daily life, from comfort and performance to long-term affordability,” shared Jacob Atalla, vice president of sustainability at KB Home. “While buyers often focus on list price, square footage, or design features, understanding how a home operates—how much energy it uses and what that means for monthly utility bills—is an essential part of evaluating total cost of ownership."
KB Home is among the largest homebuilders in the U.S., and a builder that prides itself on building relationships with every customer. Add to that its commitment to energy efficiency: KB Home has built more ENERGY STAR® certified homes than any other builder.
Investing in home energy efficiency starts by understanding how it applies to new construction. As a buyer, consider bringing an actual utility bill to your first planning meeting. A builder should be able to help you compare it to the estimated energy costs for a new build using the HERS Index (Home Energy Rating System). It’s a concrete way to see how new home performance could beat that of a typical resale home—and sometimes, it's by a lot.
The HERS Index: A Score That Actually Saves You Money
Think of the HERS Index like the MPG label for cars. Lower is better.
“At KB Home, we use the HERS Index to measure and disclose the energy performance of every home we build," highlighted Atalla. "The HERS Index is a nationally recognized system that rates a home’s projected energy use. A lower score means greater efficiency and lower energy demand."
In 2024, KB Home’s national average HERS score was 45. That’s one of the lowest among production builders, and much better than the average resale home. That lower score translates to savings. “A KB home built in 2024 can save its homeowners an estimated average of $1,800 annually on utility bills compared to a typical resale home,” he noted.
Over time, those savings really add up.
Most Homes Aren’t Certified. That’s a Problem.
Only 12% of homes are ENERGY STAR certified. That means most homeowners are living with higher energy use (and higher bills) than necessary.
Meanwhile, 100% of homes built by KB Home are designed to meet ENERGY STAR standards. As the industry leader in sustainability, their energy efficiency standards aren't merely a niche offering for wealthy buyers; in fact, 62% of their customers have a household income under $150K. Energy-efficient home construction is possible without luxury pricing.
What Makes a Home Energy Efficient?
The difference comes down to smarter design, tighter construction, and efficient systems. Some key areas include:
- HVAC systems that are properly sized and placed
- Air sealing to prevent leaks and drafts
- High-performance insulation that maintains temperature year-round
- Efficient water heaters and appliances
- Programmable thermostats to better control energy use
- Solar panels or wiring for future solar installation
- Cool roofs to reflect heat in warmer climates
- LED lights and ENERGY STAR certified products throughout
- Smart water use. "[Water efficiency] is increasingly important to today’s buyers,” shared Atalla. “From water-saving fixtures to high-efficiency appliances, our homes are designed to reduce water use while supporting a comfortable lifestyle.”
Real-Life Numbers Highlight Contrast in Residential Energy Usage
Since 2000, KB Home buyers have saved more than $1.3 billion on energy costs, based on modeled usage. These aren’t just hypothetical numbers. They’re based on how homes perform in the real world.
“One way to start that conversation is by looking at your current energy bills," highlighted Atalla. "They offer a real-world baseline that can help frame what’s possible, especially with a new construction home. For many buyers, especially those coming from older houses, the improvement in efficiency can be substantial.”
Every point drop in a HERS score increases energy efficiency by 1% and lowers greenhouse gas emissions by about 0.1 metric tons per home.
It’s Not Just About the Planet. It’s About You.
An energy-efficient home isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for your wallet, your comfort, and your peace of mind. Lower utility bills mean more room in your monthly budget. Better insulation and air sealing mean fewer drafts and more even temperatures. And water-saving features help in areas where drought or high water bills are a concern.
It’s easy to overlook energy when faced with a showroom full of countertops and cabinets. But when you ask the right questions—and compare what you have now with what you could have—you start to see where the long-term value really lies.
Can energy-efficient homes qualify for tax credits or rebates?
Yes. Homeowners who choose energy-efficient features such as solar panels, efficient water heaters, or HVAC systems may qualify for federal or local tax credits, including the Section 45L Energy Efficient Home Credit. These incentives vary by location and year, but they can reduce upfront costs.
Are energy-efficient features different in cold vs. warm climates?
Yes, climate zone plays a big role in how a home should be built. In colder areas, builders focus on minimizing heat loss with tighter building envelopes and better insulation. In warmer regions, strategies like cool roofs, solar water heating, and natural ventilation reduce the need for air conditioning.
A well-planned energy-efficient home will match its design—windows, HVAC layout, even how hot water is delivered—to the local climate. That’s why regional experience matters when choosing a builder.
