It’s “Go Green” time, and we’re not talking about cheering for the Michigan State Spartans.

Conserving energy is now necessary in everything from the type of cars we drive to the homes we build and remodel, and the buzz word is “green.”

For the last year, Steven and Rhonda Shooltz of St. Johns have been building an energy efficient home. The HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Co-op members started using their new vacation/retirement home on Lake Isabella in January, and it carries a 5-Star Plus Energy Star® rating. “That is the highest rating you can get,” says their builder, John Doria, owner of Lakeside Homebuilders of Northern Michigan, near Farwell.

The Shooltzes didn’t set out intending to build an energy efficient home, but when they started talking to builders and comparing rising fuel costs, they liked that the area was already piped for natural gas, which is cheaper than propane. Many of the gas appliances they chose are also Energy Star rated, including the furnace and water heater.

The couple also chose upgraded windows and an energy seal service offered by Lakeside. “The windows are the Andersen® 200 Series,” Doria explains, “which have argon gas and low-E glass.” The furnace is a 92 percent efficient Lennox®, the interior basement walls are insulated with 1-inch foam, and the home’s exterior is wrapped with 1-inch foam under the siding.

Before the NuWool® cellulose insulation was blown-in the sidewalls, caulk and foam were used to seal all the seams, gaps and openings that cause air leakage and reduce efficiency. “This is done at the rough-in and after-drywall steps,” Doria says. Finally, a blower-door test checked for any other air leaks in the home, and is required for Energy Star certification.

Spray foam insulation is an alternative to the cellulose, and it’s more expensive, but you get a better R-value and save more on heating, Doria adds. He suggests keeping an eye on the spray foam product, “because the growing need for energy efficiency could make the cost come down.”

“There is more to energy efficiency than just R-value…blown-in insulation has less heat and air loss,” he explains. Because of its density it can fill dead space around outlets and close other gaps.

The efficiencies in the Shooltz home are above the standard requirements for building Michigan homes, Doria adds. Michigan’s codes for insulation R-values are 13 in the walls and 30 in the ceiling/attic – the Shooltz home has 19 and 38.

“Use good-quality windows, go with the best insulation upgrades possible, and make sure to install a high-efficiency furnace,” are Doria’s main tips for potential homebuilders. Also, look for an Energy Star-certified builder and one that uses the highest quality building products, he adds, to ensure the best possible efficiency. “Look for quality, as opposed to a ‘good deal.’”

Besides being Energy Star certified, Doria became “Green Certified” last fall by the Grand Traverse Green Build Association. This certification is part of a new “green push” by the state on builders, manufacturers and consumers to be more energy efficient, he says. It involves an energy checklist where homes earn points for the plans and way the home is built. Almost like a “Green Olympics,” homes can earn bronze, silver or gold certification. It means a builder uses earth-friendly, energy efficient products and practices relating to things such as the number of trees removed and how they excavate and dispose of materials. For instance, chipping wood waste and using it around landscaping is preferable to dumping it in a landfill.

“I sell Energy Star and Green Certification and energy sealing for $1,200, regardless of the size of the home,” Doria explains. With this package, and depending on personal use, it’s also possible to save $1,200 in less than a year for a full-time home, he adds. For a weekend or vacation homeowner with average energy use (about $600/year) it would take two or three years to recover the cost.

As a consumer, Shooltz agrees. “Don’t scrimp on appliances, windows or insulation because it’s definitely worth the extra money, and you’ll make it back.” The Shooltzes occupy the new ranch-style home mostly on weekends, and he says heating costs about 75 percent less than their previous vacation home, which had a combination of electric/propane heat and wasn’t as well-insulated. Heating this January at the lake home was about $86, Shooltz says, and he was still doing work there, so the heat was actually running more than usual.

Shooltz also plans to take advantage of tax credits the government gives for Energy Star homes. Credits are also available for geothermal heating and cooling systems, and information on these and other rebates is available from tax advisors and your electric co-op.

Most of Doria’s customers today are asking for energy efficiency. “Every home we build, whether it’s a weekend cottage or a full-time residence, the homeowners are focused on energy efficiency and are interested in the best options available for them.” People should look at the return-on-investment when deciding whether to install electric heat, furnaces, heat pumps, or geothermal systems, he adds. “All of these options have different up-front costs, but people are definitely willing to pay more for ensuring energy efficiency as long as it makes sense,” Doria explains.

Shooltz also did a lot of research before choosing a builder; he wanted someone local and didn’t want to commute to the area all the time during the process. But Shooltz chose Doria, a builder for 20 years, mainly because he wanted someone who would allow him to do some of the building himself. “There are not many that will,” Shooltz says, “and I understand that because homeowners may not be able to do what they think they can, it slows building down and can cause problems with inspectors.” But Shooltz has 13 years in the construction and electrical fields, built his St. Johns home, and is a 24-year engineer at General Motors. He did the block/concrete framing, siding, rough and finish electrical and finish carpentry, and installed the flooring and appliances in the new home.

“Do your research and understand what each [builder] is offering and what the dollar difference is,” Shooltz recommends. “You can definitely go cheaper, but it’s not as good. A reputable builder will show you examples of what you [and they] can do.” The couple also toured existing builder homes and checked a lot of websites. “Most builders have one, and Lakeside has a good one,” Shooltz says.

It’s also good to realize that energy efficiency and comfort can co-exist. The Shooltzes are aiming for retirement to their lake home in about three years, but in the meantime it’s a vacation home. It’s programmable thermostat is set to keep the heat at a low 50 degrees during the week, but turn on automatically on Friday evening so it’s warm when they get there. “If we don’t get there by 8, it shuts back down,” Shooltz explains.

By living a “greener” life, we can save energy, money, and maybe our planet.