Skobel Homes is a home builder that is committed to building innovative energy efficient quality homes that allow you to save energy, conserve water, improve indoor air quality, all while saving you money by including the following energy efficient features standard in all of our new homes.

• Low-E Double Pane Insulated Vinyl Windows

  Windows are the cause for a majority of your new home's heat gains and losses. When inefficient windows are installed in your new home, you could be throwing up to 30% of your heating and cooling dollars out the window, literally. Low-E double pane insulated vinyl windows enhance comfort by keeping the cool air in during the summer and out during the winter. Low-E double pane insulated vinyl windows also block UV rays that will fade and damage flooring, furniture, photographs, and window treatments in your new home. The vinyl helps to prevent condensation, which can damage window sills, cause paint to crack, and encourage the growth of mold.

• Tankless Natural Gas Water Heater

  Tankless natural gas water heaters are the most energy efficient way to heat water, and they have the additional benefit of never having the hot water in your new home run out again. Another bonus is a $300 federal tax credit that you will receive after purchasing your new home. Tankless natural gas water heaters can be 24 to 34% more efficient, according to Department of Energy.

• R-13 Wall Insulation and R-30 Ceiling Insulation

  Skobel Homes installs cellulose blown in wall insulation, which is literally blown into the walls and attic through a large hose to completely fill in all wall cavities including hard to reach gaps and voids where energy can escape. It is produced with recycled content and has superior thermal performance that will lower heating and cooling expenses. It also will provide you better indoor air quality, moisture control and superior sound insulation. Skobel Homes also installs R-30 blown insulation in all attic spaces. Both the R-13 wall insulation and the R-30 attic insulation exceed the federal and state energy code requirements for new homes which have a code minimum of R-11 and R-19 respectively.

• Radiant Roof Barrier

  Radiant roof barriers are a type of reflective material used to deflect radiant heat from the sun and prevent it from penetrating the roof of your new home, resulting in reduced attic temperatures. Studies at the Florida Solar Energy Center indicate that, under peak day conditions, total heat transfer down through attics can be reduced by more than 40% with radiant barriers, according to Energy Star.

• Advanced Framing Techniques

  Skobel Homes are framed using a sophisticated technique that allows insulation to be installed in all areas of the exterior walls, including hard-to-reach spaces.

• Expanding Foam to Seal All Exterior Openings

  All exterior openings of your new home are sealed with expanding foam that prevents moisture damage, reduces heat loss and gain, and controls indoor air quality.

• SEER 15 Air-conditioning Unit

  SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and the higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. The code minimum for new homes in the state of Florida is a SEER 13. Skobel Homes installs SEER 15 air conditioning units that exceed the federal and state energy code requirements. Many homes have air-conditioning units that are sized too large for the home. When properly sized and installed, an energy efficient system supplies conditioned air more steadily over longer periods of time than an oversized unit. This results in more effective dehumidification, better mixing of conditioned air in the interior space, and lower energy bills. Additionally, over-sized equipment typically results in “short cycling,” (frequent on and off), which increases wear and tear, shortening the life of the unit and increasing the need for future repairs. Skobel Homes takes special care to size the air-conditioning unit correctly, and we tightly seal all of the air supply ducts with mastic to ensure a minimal level of air leakage into the attic.

• Programmable Thermostat

  Properly using a programmable thermostat in your new home is one of the easiest ways you can save energy and money by allowing you to set the temperature of your new home to change when you are away on vacation or gone to work for the day.

• Engineered HVAC and Duct System

  Skobel Homes installs engineered HVAC and Duct systems that are designed to be more energy efficient and allow for the air-conditioning unit to be sized properly.

• Exterior Fresh Air Vent Supply

  An exterior fresh air vent supply leads to better indoor air quality by providing fresh air into your new home and reducing negative pressures that can result in radon and pesticide ingress.

• Revolutionary Positive Pressure Ventilation System

  A positive pressure ventilation system allows for a cleaner more controlled air supply.

• Variable Speed Air Handler

  Variable speed air handlers reduce noise and increases energy efficiency.

• Air Handler in Air-conditioned Space

  Placing the air handler in air-conditioned space eliminates unnecessary heating and cooling.

• Anti-Microbial Duct Board

  Anti-microbial duct board allows for a cleaner air supply.

• Compact Fluorescent Energy Saving Light Bulbs

  Compact fluorescent energy saving light bulbs produce the same amount of light, but considerably less heat than a typical incandescent light bulb. Compact fluorescent light bulbs also last longer, so less money is spent on replacements.

• Built to ENERGY STAR® and the Department of Energy’s Building America Standards

  All Skobel Homes rate a 60 or less on the E-Scale. This amounts to savings of 70 % or more each month on your energy bill when compared to a typical existing home (homes built prior to 2004) and 40 % or more savings each month when compared to a typical new construction home.

• Independently Tested and Certified by a Department of Energy Representative