Energy Efficiency from Insulation
- Better wall insulation systems.
- Sealing up box sills.
- Foamed basement walls and crawlspace walls.
- R-50 cellulose in the attic or a foamed conditioned space.
- Sealing all walls and plates helps seal the house.
- Pay a little more to the insulator now or pay the power company Forever!!
Windows
- Always use a high quality window.
- Use at least Low-E, insulated glass, argon filled.
- Frame should have approximately the same coefficient of thermal expansion as glass to help eliminate stress cracks.
- Window surface area should be 8 -10% of the floor area of the house.
- Keep in mind lot orientation, and egress requirements.
- Improved Heating and Cooling System.
- Make proper insulation decisions because the heating and cooling systems are based on the heating and cooling load requirements.
- A properly sized furnace and air conditioner not only will work more efficiently but could be a size or two smaller than a typical unit.
- Have the heating contractor break down the costs and benefits of different Systems.
- Once again, pay the heating contractor a little now or the power company Forever.
Lighting and Appliances
- Compact Fluorescent (CFL) lighting can save about 75% of the cost of electricity over the lifetime of The bulbs.
- Use natural lighting when possible.
- Use energy star appliances or better when buying new.
Water and Waste
- Use high efficiency water heaters, dual flush toilets, and low flow rate faucets.
- Keeping construction waste to a minimum is essential these days.
- Modular construction helps reduce waste.