5. Look for Back-End Deals

FirstCoast says regional programs may also help defray the added costs of shifting to Energy Star building practices and recommends builders connect with local power companies for rebate programs and other benefits. “Check with your local utilities and municipalities and see where your back-end deals are for being energy-efficient,” Kiriloff says. “I think you’ll find that the cost [of building Energy Star] is not what you think it is.” Graves agrees. "Quite a few of our homes are in [electric] co-ops and by doing some of their prescriptive requirements we’ve been able to off-set some of that cost," he says.

Nigel Maynard is senior editor, products, at BUILDER magazine.