Energy costs and housing construction considerations (new house, heat pump, vinyl siding)

[unionjack007]

Hi,

I will be looking at houses this weekend and would like current NoVA residents to comment on which energy source (electric, nat gas, etc) they use and how the price/unit has risen over the last ~3 years.

Is a heat pump more efficient than a separate AC and furnace setup?

Also, I see a lot of houses with vinyl siding but an occasional brick house. What are the pros/cons of each over the other? Does brick help with heating/cooling at all?

[VRE332]

Just as an fyi, most of those newer houses only use an 80% efficent HVAC systems. I suggest checking the yellow sticker on the furnas/ heat pump before you buy.

I would also take a close look at the windows and see if you can feel any draft coming in because you can loose a lot of heat in the winter with bad windows. New houses comes with too many windows and/or cathedral cielings (which are a waste of energy). Also ask if the windows are double pained and/or tempered glass.

I have vinyl siding and its ok.

[Zack]

Vinyl siding doesn't have an effect on insulation; it matters what's underneath. The brick homes you see are mostly facades; same issue it's what's underneath. Brick is a horrible insulator by itself since it's porous. Ask someone who owns a brick rowhouse in DC what they pay for heating/cooling, it's astronomical.

[Fairfax Mom]

I think the windows are one of the most important considerations you should have - also insulation