Considering renovating or building a new home? Make it more energy-efficient with these tips, gathered by Jeffrey Lee, from builders at the 2008 the Pacific Coast Builders Conference.
Don’t be put off by some of the technical terms. Just ask your builder to review these options with you.
Builder, Steve Easley offers these tips:
• In thinking about air conditioning, many pros’ first thought is about the system’s SEER, according to Steve Easley. Instead, “Design the homes to use less air conditioning first,” he suggested, using overhangs, proper orientation and landscaping, and efficient windows and building envelope products.
• Make sure that the air-conditioning unit is properly charged. “Sixty-two percent of the time, the A/C system is mischarged. The unit’s SEER drops off with the wrong charge.
• Use the Energy Star thermal bypass checklist for subcontractors installing insulation. The checklist shows common insulation mistakes and how to avoid them. When installers compress insulation, for instance, it quickly loses R-value.
• Air leaks through common joints for framing and sheathing are a common problem. Spray-foam insulation can help, and spray-foam insulation can combine with fiberglass insulation for an economical solution.
• In thinking about air conditioning, many pros’ first thought is about the system’s SEER. Design the homes to use less air conditioning first,” he suggested, using overhangs, proper orientation and landscaping, and efficient windows and building envelope products.
• Ensure the air-conditioning unit is properly charged, Easley said. “Sixty-two percent of the time, the A/C system is mischarged,” he added. The unit’s SEER drops off with the wrong charge.
• Use the Energy Star thermal bypass checklist for subcontractors installing insulation, Easley said. The checklist shows common insulation mistakes and how to avoid them. When installers compress insulation, for instance, it quickly loses R-value.
• Air leaks through common joints for framing and sheathing are a common problem, Easley said. Spray-foam insulation can help, and spray-foam insulation can combine with fiberglass insulation for an economical solution.
• Install moisture-resistant backerboard such as Georgia-Pacific’s DensShield Tile Backer. Standard gypsum board is a perfect breeding ground for mold.
• Again, concentrating on initial design can provide the biggest bang for the buck, Easley noted. Avoid roof pitches intersecting with vertical wall planes, for instance, which can cause moisture management problems.
• Use high-efficiency appliances and fixtures. High-efficiency dishwashers use 5 to 7 gallons of water per load, versus up to 12 gallons for standard machines. Using other high-efficiency fixtures such as toilets, washing machines, showers, and faucets can provide up to 50% savings.
Justin Dunning, director of the California Green Builder program, offer these tips:
• The most cost-effective energy-saving features vary by climate, noted For example, in a temperate climate like San Diego, little heat or air conditioning is needed. Tankless water heaters can provide a bigger return on investment than additional spending on HVAC, he said.
Homebuilders and renovators can consider these energy-saving measures, regardless of the climate in their area:
• First, insulate the attic, if you have one. Adding more insulation - up to the R-38 level.
• Aid air filtration with a one-coat stucco system: stucco over an inch thick on R-4 EPS board, “can create an R-17 wall.
• Make sure ducts are tight and properly sealed.
Tenaya Asan, manager of the GreenPoint-rated program for Build It Green offers these tips:
• Use water-conserving landscaping, Avoid invasive species: “They suck up water from other plants,” she said. Use reduced turf and native plants that require less water.
• Use only drip, bubbler, or low-flow sprinkler irrigation systems, and smart irrigation controllers.
• Don’t use plants that need a lot of shearing, Asan said, because “green waste” takes up a lot of space in landfills.
• Include a built-in recycling center in home designs to make recycling easier for homeowners, Asan suggested.
Discover more ways to go green at home from Jeffrey Lee and ebuild and Eco Home magazine.
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