Building an Energy Efficient Home

 

Do it Right the First Time

There are many opportunities for energy efficiency that you will only have during construction or remodeling.  For example, if you don't chose high performance windows or maximize insulation, it is unlikely that you will have the chance again.

 

Similarly, if you don't buy that Energy Star refrigerator, you will have to live with your choice for the next 10-15 years.  What do you think energy will cost over the life of that refrigerator.  Be sure to buy appliances that are at least 15% better than the minimum standards.

 

Making the wrong choice now can be a huge lost opportunity.

 

The Most Bang for the Buck

Making the right energy efficiency decision should not be an example of "no good deed goes unpunished".

 

If you are going to make an investment in enhanced energy efficiency you should expect a good return on your investment.

 

Let's assume you are going to spend $350,000 to build a new 2,000 s.f. house.  For an additional $10,000, you can increase the home's energy efficiency by 25%-35% or more.  This additional investment adds less than 3% to the construction cost.

 

The following eight "TIPS" are the most cost-effective way to supercharge energy efficiency in new construction.

 

TIP #1:  "RIGHT SIZED" BUILDINGS

• Building size is probably the most important factor in determining overall energy use and sustainability.
• Unnecessary square footage and inefficient designs drive up energy cost.
• More size means more of everything: more energy, more water, more maintenance, etc.

TIP #2:  HIGH EFFICIENCY WATER HEATING

• Water heating makes up 50 percent of natural gas use in a typical Southern California household.
• Consider "tankless" style or "condensing gas" water heaters.  They are 25 to 50 percent more efficient than standard water heaters.
• Solar water heating is back with financial incentives!  Solar hot water systems can offset 50 to 75 percent of annual gas usage.  Consider the simple "integrated collector & storage" (ICS) systems such as those made by CopperHeart® or ProgressivTube®.

TIP #3:  RADIANT BARRIERS

• Radiant barriers are aluminized sheets that are stapled to the underside of roof rafters or attached to roof sheathing.
• Radiant barriers prevent up to 97 percent of the Sun's radiant heat from entering the building.
• A low cost product that can reduce or eliminate the need for air conditioning.  Installed costs are $0.50 to $1.00 per square foot.

TIP #4:  HIGH PERFORMANCE WINDOWS

• Not all double pane (dual glazed) windows are the same.  Make sure the windows are labeled by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council).
• Non-metal (wood, vinyl or fiberglass) sash/frames are more efficient than metal products.
• Look for U-factors (measures heat gain and loss) of 0.40 or lower; smaller numbers = better efficiency.
• Look for SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient) of 0.40 or lower; smaller numbers = better efficiency.

TIP #5:  DUCT LEAKAGE TESTING & SEALING

• Leaking Ductwork = Wasted Energy.  Ducts in existing homes can loose 30 percent of the heated or cooled air from leaks or poor initial installations.
• New ductwork should be tested to insure that loses are six percent or less.
• Testing is done by independent and certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS) inspectors.  Testing costs are in the $300-$500 range for most houses.

TIP #6:  QUALITY INSULATION INSTALLATION

• The California Energy Code requires insulation in new construction, but there is very little control over the quality of installation.  Most jobs have examples of areas with incomplete insulation due to voids and gaps.  Batt insulation is often compressed which reduces its insulation value.
• The effective insulation value may be 30 percent less than the labeled "R" value (usually R-13 for walls and R-30 for ceilings).
• Find an installer who will meet the requirements of the Energy Star Qualified Homes "Thermal Bypass Checklist".

TIP #7:  INSTALL ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES

• Minimum appliance efficiency is regulated by Federal standards, but many appliances are available which exceed these standards.
• Energy Star rated appliances are 15 to 40 percent more efficient (depending on the category of the appliance) than the minimum. 
• Products which have an Energy Star rating include furnaces and air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators and freezers, clothes washers, and dishwashers, etc.  Many consumer electronic products are also Energy Star rated.

TIP #8:  SELECT HIGH EFFICIENCY LIGHTING

• Lighting can consume 10 to 20 percent of a typical household's electricity use. Efficient light can cut lighting energy use by as much as 80 percent.
• Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) have come a long way in the last ten years.  They produce quality light, are available for many applications, and last for years.
• LED replacement lamps and new fixtures represent the "state of the art" in lighting technology.  Energy use is a fraction of incandescent or halogen lamps.  LEDs will last 10-25 years in typical residential applications.
• CAUTION:  Only buy LED products from well-established manufacturers.