Energy Efficient Features
Geothermal Heating & Cooling uses the relatively constant earth temperature to heat and cool your home rather than the constantly changing air temperature from outside the home. Geothermal is a great alternative to conventional HVAC because it uses 40-70% less energy to complete the same job. Geothermal achieves heating in the winter months by bringing heat up from the ground and then turning it into usable heat in the form of hot air and circulating it through the home via traditional duct systems. The heat can also be circulated through the homes floors to heat the home, which is referred to as radiant heating. During the summer months the process is reversed; the geothermal system pulls cool temperatures out of the ground and circulates them through the home, it then takes the warm air, draws it out, and then brings it back into the ground via underground tubing.
Low-E Glass is infused with krypton gas in order to diffuse levels of radiant energy. Low-E glass works to keep radiant energy on the same side of the glass that it originated. Emissivity is the value given to a material in relation to the amount of energy let through compared to a blackbody. Low-E glass can reduce energy loss by 30-50%.
R-10 Insulated Basement Walls prevent heat escape through your basement walls, as well as the transfer of cold ground temperatures through your basement walls. In a typical home 22% of energy loss occurs through basement walls.
Critical Energy Seal Package seals all gaps and cracks throughout framing members with the use of elastomeric sealants / DOW two pound closed cell foam insulation. This process prevents air infiltration in leak prone areas such as where framing members meet exterior wall sheathing.
Sealed Duct Work properly taped and inspected for possible leaks prior to drywall stage.
Blown In Cellulose or Closed Cell Spray Foam.....Why Not Fiberglass?
• Cellulose Insulates much better than fiberglass due to its density
• Houses that catch fire burn faster with fiberglass vs cellulose or foam insulation
• Cellulose provides better sound deadening than fiberglass
• Fiberglass is a suspected carcinogen and carries a hazard warning label (Federal Govt)
• Fiberglass settles much more than cellulose, leaving un insulated space. Spray foam does not settle
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Exterior Wall Sheathing consists of either DOW Weathermate Plus house wrap, structurally insulated sheathing (DOW SIS), or foam board exterior wall insulation.
Home Design can have a big impact on the overall energy efficiency of a home. Properly designed window overhangs help to block the suns heat from windows in the summer, while allowing the sun to heat the home in the winter months, this process is known as passive solar. Proper sealing or corners, plates, and throughout framing members eliminate unwanted air infiltration in leak prone areas.
Solar Energy can provide a large amount of a homes electricity needs when properly designed and installed. Some solar solutions include solar shingle systems that blend seamlessly with traditional asphalt roofing systems. 1000 sq feet of solar shingles can generate approximately 3.5kwh per day. A properly designed and lived in home can produce enough power to sustain itself, with the right system of PV panels.