eFactor/Energy-Wise Homes

Invest in Efficiency and Healthier Living with eFACTOR

What is the eFactor and how much does it cost? Glad you asked.

Simply put, eFactor is a high performance set of award-winning, energy-wise features and standards that are built into every new home that ICI builds at no additional charge.

Built to deliver superior energy ratings and a healthier living experience, each ICI home is inspected, measured and certified by independent third party experts. In fact, an ICI eFactor home delivers a HERS rating (Home Energy Rating Standard) that is twice as efficient as the average existing home.

So, when you think e-nergy savings, e-fficiency, e-nlightment, or e-nvironment,… think efactor, included with every ICI Home.

ICI Homes Energy-Wise Features

Energy Star 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
Energy Star Exhaust fans in all baths
Energy Star Appliances
Insulated Low-E Windows w/ Screens
Insulated Low-E Sliders w/ Screens
High Efficiency 15 SEER Heat Pump & Cooling System Located in an air-conditioned space
R-30 Blown and Batt Ceiling Insulation
R- 4.1 Fi-Foil Insulation on Block Walls
R-19 Batt Insulation on Exterior Frame walls
Low VOC Interior Paint

ICI Homes offers a number of other energy saving features that you may want to include in your new home, just ask your sales representative for a full list.

Energy-Wise Tips

Use Fluorescent Bulbs: Incandescent bulbs produce a lot of heat and are very inefficient. Replace your lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use 25% of the energy that traditional incandescent bulbs use. In addition to that, flourescent bulbs last a lot longer.

Solar Outdoor Lights: Today's solar outdoor lights are not only cost effective but the designs are really nice, too. You're sure to find the right solar lights that match your homes design style all while enhancing the look of your garden for free. Paid for by the sun.

Upgrade Appliances: Think you can't afford a new refrigerator or microwave? Think again.  Replace your appliances with Energy Star rated appliances. You will save in the long run and rest contently knowing you aren't wasting energy.

Get Programmable Thermostats: When you are headed off to work is there any reason to keep your thermostat at the same temperature you need it while your home? This is a big waste of energy and we don't always remember to change the setting before we leave. With programmable thermostats you basically just hired an assistant to take care of this for you. So relax.

Dim Lights: Dimming your lights can save anywhere from 10-50% in electricity and can extend the bulb's life by 20 times.

Use Lighting Scenes: Ever wake up in the morning and find that the garage light is still on or come home from work and see that glow coming from the front office window? A lighting control system can bring only certain lights on when you're cooking, eating or reading. You can shut all the lights off in your house at once or turn lights off in other rooms all from one convenient place.

Control Climate with Motorized Shades: You know the perfect time of day when the sun isn't coming straight through your windows but there's enough light outside to reduce having to use indoor lights. Do we always remember to use natural light instead of flicking on the light in our house? I know I don't. Invest in motorized shades that can open at just the right time of day allowing you to let the natural light into your home.

Alternative Energy: Solar panels on a south-facing roof can provide enough energy for electricity for your entire house. Don't worry you won't have a big metal twirling object on your roof, solar panels are designed to look like roof shingles keeping with the beauty of your home.

Variable Speed Air Handler:  Using a variable speed air handler is another efficient means to cooling and heating your home. With a quiet start up and not as abrupt you can count on less noise and a more efficient flow of air through your home.

Monitor through Computerized Control Systems: Control your entire home through one system. It's more than just energy efficiency it is managing your home wisely with new technology that saves you money while allowing you to operate different technologies throughout your home. So get smart and start saving today!