SunSmart Features
LifeStyle SunSmart Features
A lot of thought, effort, and expertise has been devoted to finding the exact right combination of equipment, materials, and building techniques to produce maximum-performance gains for LifeStyle SunSmart homes. There is no payback waiting period when it comes to LifeStyle SunSmart homes. You get a superior home performance and the accompanying energy bills savings from day one. LifeStyle SunSmart standards represent true state-of-the-art delivery of reliable technologies to save energy, increase comfort, and improve indoor air quality.
Please note that this list of LifeStyle SunSmart features is ever-evolving as advances in technology are made. For a more in-depth look at the LifeStyle SunSmart features, we invite you to surf on over to our interactive LifeStyle SunSmart cutaway tool.
This system represents a new advancement in water-heating technology. The hybrid heat pump water heater is approximately 60% percent more efficient than a standard electric water heater. The hybrid system has a conventional electric storage heater paired with a heat pump. Instead of generating heat directly, a hybrid heat pump water heater will absorb heat and transfer heat from the air to help heat the water.
Heat pump HVAC units are inherently more efficient than conventional air conditioners, because they run the cooling cycle in reverse when heat is needed. This minimizes the use of inefficient glowing heat coils. The heat pump in your LifeStyle SunSmart home will still include a heat coil, though, to keep you warm during the few really cold nights that occasionally occur in Central Florida. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is a measure of a heat pump’s cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER number, the more cooling produced per unit of electricity used. A 15.2 SEER2 is equivalent to a 16 SEER system. “SEER2” represents an industry change resulting from improved testing conditions to measure efficiency. The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) rating works just like the SEER rating, except it measures how efficiently an HVAC unit produces heat.
Oftentimes, cooled air is blasted into the attics of homes through leaks in the duct systems. LifeStyle SunSmart homes use better-quality joining products and workmanship to ensure this doesn’t happen. Better yet, the air tightness of duct work of each LifeStyle SunSmart home is inspected and certified by third-party energy raters.
Adding a second furring strip between the outer surface of your home’s drywall and the inner surface of adjacent concrete blocks doubles the volume of air trapped in the space between. This dead air is a very efficient insulator all by itself. Taking this extra step is a simple and very cost-effective measure to improve not only the energy-efficiency of your home, but its comfort level as well.
Spray foam has emerged as a highly superior and extremely effective insulator in recent years. This insulation technique creates an air-tight seal to help drastically improve the energy-efficiency and the year-round comfort of your home. Spray foam is much denser than traditional insulation, making it a more effective air barrier that can reach all nooks and crannies. LifeStyle Homes uses R-24 open-cell spray foam to create a protective bubble around your home’s living areas. In addition to being a better insulator, it has the added perks of reducing noise, as well as blocking dust, pollen, and other airborne pollutants for a cleaner, more comfortable environment. (See LifeStyle HealthSmart features for health benefits of open-cell spray foam.)
LifeStyle SunSmart homes maximize protection from severe weather using a peel-and-stick roof underlayment. This self-adhesive barrier represents a huge advancement in roofing systems – especially in Central Florida – as it guards against interior water intrusion from wind-driven rain.
The ZIP System® is an all-in-one revolutionary sheathing system designed to enhance structural durability, keep moisture out, and reduce air leakage. Your LifeStyle home will be built with ZIP System® 7/16” exterior wall sheathing with tape, as well as ZIP System® roof sheathing. The reduction of air leakage means your home is built with a tighter envelope, leading to an increase in energy-efficiency and lowered energy bills. (See LifeStyle HealthSmart features for water intrusion protection benefits of ZIP System® exterior sheathing.)
The appliances in your home account for about 20% of your total energy use. EnergyStar® appliances have been certified to use less energy and produce less heat while providing performance on par with non-Energy Star® appliances. This means you save money without sacrificing performance or convenience.
LED lighting is now standard in all recessed cans and bathroom vanities. This lighting technology is the most energy-efficient on the market today. LEDs give off less heat and only emit light in one direction, reducing energy waste by as much as 75% when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LEDs are also are cool to the touch, and have a lifespan of 30,000-50,000 hours.
LifeStyle SunSmart homes provide a better seal between window and door frames and the surrounding concrete blocks of exterior walls. As an important side benefit, the system used to provide that better seal also significantly strengthens those joints – an important consideration for your safety in high wind conditions.
LifeStyle SunSmart homes are equipped with a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat for optimal convenience. Cooling or heating settings can be adjusted using a smartphone from anywhere in the world.
Lighting, music, security, and more can be controlled using your smart home automation system. An app allows for control of these home elements using a smartphone from anywhere in the world. All LifeStyle SunSmart homes include control of four light switches/dimmers, HVAC thermostat, and audio in one room.
*Features subject to change without notice.
