APmom
I understand your fear but to build an even modestly efficient home adds about 1% to the total cost.
We have done it twice. No magic or super anything just an additionl 2" of insulation in the walls and
3-4" in the roof. Facing windows south with 4" extra overhang for summer shade.

Our home in Wisconsin used 70% less heating/cooling than similar sized homes in the area.
Our home in Wa uses about $30 per month extra in the winter to heat. Possibly $50 per month
if we did not supplement with wood.
This is not high tech or high cost. The savings is almost immediate once the utility bills come in.
Long term savings can damn near make the mortgage payment.

We have already figured that our lower heat bill and not having to commute saves more
than our mortgage payment per month.


Whoknew: It is ludicrous. What is worse is a movement to route water from the Great Lakes to
the Southwest to support this kind of madness.