Gallery Four

Energy Saving Features
These pictures illustrate a few of the energy saving features that we employ in some of our construction.
  • Passive solar orientation (Face the majority of the home's glazing north and south to limit the solar heat gain during the summer months)
  • ICF wall construction (Insulating Concrete Forms) (Provides a better sealed environment with substantially greater insulation capabilities over traditional framing/insulation.  Ability to withstand extremely high wind loads - 200+ mph winds)
  • Externally-vented standing seam metal roof (Allows external airflow between the insulated decking and the metal roof surface to cool roof without transitioning external heat to inner attic)
  • Dual-fuel HVAC system (Heat-pump operation; however, furnace engages at low temperatures, where a heat-pump becomes inefficient (38 degrees)
  • On-demand tank-less water heaters (Continuous hot water,  water is not heated until a demand is realized, therefore you do not heat and store hot water)
  • Icynene insulation in the roof structure with a sealed attic system (Allows the attic area to remain relatively unaffected by outside temperatures.  The HVAC ductwork is enclosed in an area which prevents the heat loss or heat gain into the duct system, which is inefficient and typical of a standard vented attic space)
  • ERV - Energy recovery ventilator (Brings fresh air into home, exhausting stale air and minimizing energy losses by using the stale waste air to pre-heat or pre-cool the incoming air depending on the season)
  • Energy Star Appliances which consume 10%-50% less energy over non-Energy Star appliances
  • Fluorescent lighting throughout home reducing energy usage by up to 75% over incandescent lighting as well as ceiling fans throughout to circulate air




 
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On-demand tank-less water heater with manifold water distribution system



 
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On-demand tank-less water heater and Icynene open-cell foam insulation



 
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Dual-fuel HVAC system and Icynene open-cell foam insulation



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Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) and Dual-fuel HVAC system


 
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Dual-fuel HVAC system and Icynene open-cell foam insulation



 
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Icynene open-cell foam insulation



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Icynene open-cell foam insulation in roof system with blown-in cellulose insulation in 2nd floor ceiling space

 
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BuildBlock ICF walls on 1st story with #4 and #5 rebar reinforcement.  The concrete portion is 6" thick, with 2 1/2" of EPS on each side of the concrete
 
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BuildBlock ICF walls being constructed on 2nd story
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Externally vented standing seam metal galvalume roof which is highly reflective and reduces heat absorption as well as proper passive solar orientation of the home
 
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Energy Star appliances which use 10-50 percent less energy than non-Energy Star models
 
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Total  fluorescent lighting throughout house reducing energy use by up to 75% over incandescent lighting as well as ceiling fans throughout to circulate air