New can mean cutting-edge technology -- with computers, cell phones and houses as well.

Many of the newer construction methods are designed to aid in energy efficiency. Just as many new cars outdo older ones in terms of miles per gallon, newer homes are built to save their owners money in utility bills as well as please local and regional inspectors to meet and exceed local building code standards, items such as:

• Dual-paned and even triple-paned windows offer lower heat and cold emissions through the glass. Low-E and Low-E-Squared ratings in windows can be likened to a pair of sunglasses for your home, helping to prevent fading and damage to your carpets and furniture while saving on energy costs, while the newer vinyl frames are more leak-resistant, glide more smoothly and insulate better than the older aluminum types.

• Insulation in walls and ceilings that tout higher thickness (R) values save energy dollars as well.

• Tighter roofing methods, such as radiant barrier roof sheeting – a product not unlike aluminum foil -- reflects radiant heat from the rooftop to keep the attic areas cooler.

• Multi-zoned heating and air conditioning systems with imbedded computer chips can sense when some areas of a house are cooler or warmer than other areas, shutting down or opening up vents to control temperature comfort and as a result saving you on energy costs.

• Options for reflective “photovoltaic” roofing tiles garner the sun’s energy during the day, actually spinning the electric meter backwards so that the stored-up energy can be used when it is needed

We can go on and on listing products that go into new homes that make them more structurally sound as well as more energy-efficient than older homes. But when people say that “they don’t build houses like they used to” – there is wisdom in that statement.

For a comprehensive listing of new home products and to get statistics as well as consumer information about new homes, visit the web site for the National Association of Home Builders at www.NAHB.com.