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How Homes Become Green1. Efficient insulation of
walls, and more importantly, roofs, is probably the best way to
save energy and reduce energy requirements. Structural insulated
panels or SIPS are twice as efficient as most fiberglass stud
arrays. Fiberglass and cellulose settle, and there is 10 times
the airflow through fiberglass stud wall insulation as there is
through SIPS walls. SIPS cost more, but the cost is usually
regained in 5-6 years by savings in heating and cooling costs.
Then for the next 400 years, the building costs ½ as much
to heat and cool. Think of the total savings over centuries.
2.
Timber frames provide durable, strong, beautiful, and efficient
structures. They use equal or less wood than stickbuilt
structures. These timbers can be recycled, and since there are
no load bearing walls, interior walls can be moved or removed
without structural damage to the building.
3. Windows now
are available with double panes with the interior space filled
with argon gas and with coatings which reduce emittance of heat
from the warm side to the cold.
4. More durable roof
coverings such as steel, copper, and fiber cement delay
replacement cycles. Solar cells are now integrated with asphalt
shingles and can look similar to other types of roofing. Lighter
colors absorb less heat.
5. More south facing windows help
with passive solar gain in winter and increased natural
daylight.
6. Covered entryways protect doors and decrease
maintenance.
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7. In houses with SIPS, less energy is required to heat and
cool the structure. Accordingly, HVAC systems can be accurately
sized smaller, costing less initially to use more efficient
equipment. Ductwork can be led to interior walls as well,
reducing lengths and costs.
8. On demand water heaters or
tankless water heaters can avoid loss of heat during long
storage times, which can result in significant heat loss.
Electric heat pump water heaters can be energy saving, and
geothermal energy and solar energy can be used as well to heat
water and produce electric power.
9. Duct work should be
quite tight, and positioned in conditioned areas.
10.
Basement areas, floor and walls, should be as well insulated as
other living spaces.
11. Avoiding high VOC or volatile
organic compounds in floors and wall materials makes air much
cleaner. The use of wood and other natural materials makes
maintaining air quality much easier. Linoleum, from circa 1860,
of natural materials, is making a comeback.
12. Increasing
roof overhang width is useful to protect siding and windows from
weather, and to decrease solar gain during summer or high sun
angle months.
13. There is little or no waste at building
sites when timber frames are erected and pre-cut SIPS are
applied. Compare this to stickbuilt sites. This has a major
effect on landfills.
14. Energy Star appliances are much
more efficient than those from only a few years ago, and lead to
significant energy savings. Low flow toilets, showers, and sink
fixtures save significant water and energy over standard first
generation models, and work well. Early low flow toilets were
problematic at best, even though they were required for
installation before they were adequately designed. The latest
designs seem to work well.
15. Recycled plastic can replace
pressure treated wood for fencing, deck flooring, and other
exterior uses.
16. Use native plants as ground cover
for erosion control and native trees for shade. Native flora is
the best choice for surviving and flourishing in any area during
normal rainfall and drought periods.
17. Always site the
structure to take advantage of sunlight, shade trees, views,
driveways, drainage, and natural features.
CABIN
CREEK TIMBER FRAMES
828-369-5899
6624 Georgia Road
Franklin, NC 28734
www.cabincreektimberframes.com
jbell@cabincreektimberframes.com
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