"High Performance" Home Building
What is "High Performance" Building?
“The ideal energy-efficient home retains the best environment for living while minimizing the consumption and waste of energy.” Energy efficiency is the minimum expenditure of energy needed to heat and cool the interior of a building with the added feature of making this space healthy and comfortable for human occupation. This includes air quality, moisture conditions, and lighting. The ideal energy-efficient home (building) retains the best environment for living while minimizing the cost of energy.
Why Build "High Performance"?
• Added Confidence
• Lower Ownership Cost
• Better Performance
• Healthy Living
• Smart Investment
• Environmental Protection
Come Speak to Dan Kittilsen, Our "Certified Green Professional"!
DJK builds energy efficient green custom homes in the Chicagoland are including: Naperville, Oswego, Plainfield, Woodridge, Elmhurst, Lincolnshire, Hinsdale, Yorkville, Downers Grove, and more.
All of our homes are 3rd party verified by a professional energy solution company to make sure they exceed current energy efficient building standards and perform higher than average homes.
Key Components of a High Performance Home Include
ENERGY-EFFICIENT FEATURES (Click to Find Out More)
Many of the energy efficient features of a high performance home are easy to spot. These features include Low-E glass on windows, R-10 insulation on basement walls, air sealing packages, sealed duct work, blown in cellulose or closed cell spray foam inside exterior wall cavities and inside the attic, and CFL or LED light bulbs. Other energy saving features include insulated exterior wall sheathing, geothermal heating and cooling systems, and freshwater heat recovery units.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY FEATURES (Click to Find Out More)
The heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) must be appropriately sized for an efficient and properly ventilated home. An ERV is used to exchange stale air with fresh air from outdoors. In effect your indoor air quality becomes much better. Low-VOC paints and finishes are used as well to prevent bad indoor air quality in your home.
WATER-EFFICIENT FEATURES (Click to Find Out More)
Fixtures and appliances such as low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets, and ENERGY STAR dishwashers and washing machines all conserve water. Programmed, low-volume irrigation systems, rainwater collection systems, wastewater treatment systems, and hot water re circulation systems also save water.
RESOURCE-EFFICIENT FEATURES (Click to Find Out More)
These decisions-from home size, to orientation on the lot, to floor plan layout, are made in the design of your home and development of the lot. The house orientation and design should take advantage of natural daylight to reduce lighting needs, and should use strategies to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. The home should contain renewable materials, including reclaimed wood flooring, and recycled-content materials in carpets, tiles, and concrete formulations.