New Construction

• The correct type of Insulation in the correct areas is critical when building a high performance “building enclosure”. While the codes have increased in the last few years it’s still necessary to exceed them if you want a high performance home. Some of the options we offer are closed cell spray polyurethane foam (ccSPF), wet spray and loose fill cellulose and rigid foam sheathing. We also recommend conditioned attics and crawlspaces.
• We only use windows with high-performance glass and are filled with inert gas because they help minimize the size of the home's heating and cooling equipment since the energy efficient windows help reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. While they are currently more expensive, Triple pane windows will eventually be the new norm in the 21st century home.
• Nearly 50 percent of a typical home's utility bill goes toward heating and cooling. By installing the appropriate amount of insulation, properly air sealing the home, and installing correctly sized heating, ventilating, and air- conditioning (HVAC) equipment, our homes are comfortable and energy efficient. We install furnaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. (AFUE) rating of between 80 percent for conventional furnaces to 94 percent for high-efficiency or condensing furnaces, and a central air conditioning unit with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating of at least 15. Heat pumps offer another option for HVAC equipment, and perform both heating and cooling functions. Our heat pumps have a Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) greater than 7 and SEER rating of 15 or higher. We also offer geothermal systems for our clients interested in maximum efficiency. Regardless of the type of HVAC system used, all of our systems come with programmable thermostats (and adaptive recovery thermostats for heat pumps) to help our clients program the system for peak efficiency.
• Manufacturers have made great strides over the past 15 years in improving the performance of refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers. Read the appliance's EnergyGuide label, as it will provide an estimate of the unit's annual operating costs. All of our clients are invited to shop in a Builder appliance showroom not open to the public to help save as much as possible on their purchase costs.
• In addition to energy efficient appliances we also offer our clients energy efficient lighting design and installation. Installing motion sensors, timers and solar-powered outdoor lights, instead of leaving lights on during nighttime hours, are just some of the options we utilize to reduce our client’s electricity bills. Each custom home includes lighting packages that are designed and installed by a certified lighting designer who advises our clients in the latest in energy efficient lighting technologies.
• Water heating typically accounts for 10 to 25 percent of the energy used in the home. There are numerous ways we help our clients reduce the amount of energy they use to heat water. Some are as inexpensive and simple as turning down the water heater's thermostat setting from 120 to 115 degrees, installing non-aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads; using the "cold" water setting on the clothes washer instead of "hot"; and setting the dishwasher to "energy saver" or "water saver." We also recommend and install energy efficient gas fired tankless hot water heating systems from Rinnai. Also, photovoltaic (PV) systems are increasingly becoming a more attractive long-term investment for homeowners as their efficiency increases and their cost decreases.
• As much as 30 to 40 percent of a home's energy load can be attributed to the leakage of outside air into the home. Air enters the home through gaps between framing materials and improperly installed insulation, through holes drilled for plumbing and wiring, and around doors and windows. This is why we conduct a blower door test to make sure the house is well sealed against air leakage. Keep in mind that the “tighter” the home is the greater the need for supplemental ventilation to maintain adequate indoor air quality so we often recommend heat recovery ventilation (HRV) to supply fresh air.
• We optimize the efficiency of the duct system by locating ducts within the conditioned space of the house, minimizing the length of duct runs, and making sure ducts are well sealed so they don't leak air. If ducts are routed in unconditioned areas we make sure they are insulated to reduce heat loss. This is one of many reasons why the builder should be involved during the planning and design of high performance homes. It requires integrated design, planning and collaboration between multiple disciplines to ensure success.

Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation and request a Custom Home Planning Guide.