Energy

Wasted Energy

Each time we write a check for our utility bill, we should consider that it is the one bill in our budget that we have no real control over. If the electric and gas rates go up (as they seem to do every year), so does our utility bill, and there goes our monthly budget. Or if we have a very hot summer or a very cold winter, and use more energy, well, you get the picture. Additionally, we should be considering the impact of wasted energy as we think about future generations and their needs for natural resources.  Our current responsibility should be to be good stewards of the environment now and for the future.

 
Wasted energy is just that, “wasted.” It costs money, adds to pollution, and damages our environment. So we have implemented a strategic component as part of our mission statement:  to truly build "energy star-rated" homes.   

Energy Star(What is 'star rating'?)  

 

Here's how we do it...

 

  • We use at least 15 seer HVAC systems, rather than the standard 10-13 seer units.
  • We install R50 in the attic, rather than R30, since most of the energy loss is through the roof.
  • We use a hot water on demand system instead of an electric hot water heater. The advantages are numerous. Most importantly, you don’t run out of hot water, and you are not paying to heat water to just sit in the storage tank.
  • We only use high end, energy rated windows and doors, not just the standard builder grade windows.
  • All my wall insulation is faced stapled, which is more expensive to install, but it enables the insulation to properly fit and fill the wall cavities for efficiently.
  • We foam around windows and door, rather than just stuff insulation in.
  • All the duct work is suspended in the attic, rather than just lying it on the ceiling. This allows a better flow of air and most importantly, it allows better insulation in the ceiling.

 

There are many other (more subtle) things we do to obtain a home that will save you around 20% to 50% on your energy bill. Remember, “value”, as you think about those figures. This boils down to saving approximately one to one and a half mortage payments per year. Consider the financial impact over a period of 10 years!

Energy Efficiency

RINNAI SYSTEMS

This system heats water on-demand only. There is no storage tank as with a typical hot water tank. Therefore you are not having to heat water, just to have it sit in the tank, used, wasting energy to keep it heated. The benefits of this unit are numerous. Hot water is instantly available on demand. Since there is no need to rely on volume of the storage tank, it takes up far less space. The supply of hot water is endless. You can fill the largest of garden tubs, take showers, do laundry, and not run out of hot water. Since there is no tank to hold the water, corrosion and rusted hot water tanks are no longer a worry.

Trane 15 seer heating and air conditioning systems: The government has mandated that after January 23, 2006, the minimum seer rating system to be manufactured is 13 seer. Chances are that any home you purchase that was built prior to 2006 will have a 10 seer system. Seer stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”. The difference in the energy consumption between the 2 systems is great, reducing energy bills for homeowners up to 30%. We use Trane equipment for its reputation and warranty, which is superior to many other lessor known systems. The extra expense of the 15 seer system will help pay for itself by many years of dependable, energy savings.

R50 INSULATION vs. R30 INSULATION

The majority of heat loss in a typically built home is through the attic. There are some newer methods of obtaining high R-Factors in attic heat loss, based on different type of foam and styrofoam. We still feel there are still too many unanswered questions concerning moisture and ventilation. We are able to obtain the same effect using fiberglass. Fiberglass, unlike cellulose will not settle, and is not flammable. Taking into consideration all variables concerning fiberglass insulation, we feel it is the best alternative. We are able to increase the R-factor, without a concern of increased weight, virtually doubling the amount found in most houses.

FACE STAPLING

For wall insulation there are two methods of placing the insulation in the wall cavities. On the insulation itself is a small bead of paper designed to hold the insulation against the 2x4 stud. The common practice is to push the insulation and paper into the cavity and staple it. Although this is much faster, and requires far less labor, ? (needs to be finished)