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Building an Energy-Smart New Home
Are you looking to buy or build a new home? In thinking about design plans and
possibilities have you also been considering your new home’s energy efficiency?
Incorporating energy-efficient design elements into your home could save you
thousands of dollars per year. It’s never been easier to design and build an
energy-efficient custom home. The smart energy-efficient home you invest in now
will pay you back for years to come in a home that offers greater comfort lower
energy bills and lower maintenance.
Today's designers and builders are creating homes that have all the creature
comforts most homeowners demand. No longer are spas, great rooms, security
systems, and multimedia centers reserved for the mansions of the rich and
famous. Now the purchasers of new homes are asking for energy ratings. Very high
energy efficient and hurricane strong tornado resistant homes are in demand
along the entire US Gulf Coast. With Energy Wise Homebuilders, Co. this type of
housing is no longer the prerogative of the off beat geodesic dome
houses, earth shelter homes where you had grass roofs that needed to be mowed or
concrete and steel bunkers which were more like a bomb shelter than a home. Now
a typical custom residential home can be built with materials and techniques
that equal or surpass in strength and efficiency these early experiments in new
age housing.
These homes include several features not normally found in homes being built
today: super insulation via SIP's (pre-fabricated structurally insulated
panels), steel framing, healthy materials, fresh air supply, water and air
filtration systems. These homes also incorporate other design features such as
large windows allowing for plenty of natural light, high ceilings,
extra-strength (hurricane resistant) construction.
Homes built by Energy Wise Home Builders, Co. have many advantages
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The filtration and ventilation systems
optimize occupant health by minimizing indoor air pollution.
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A tightly sealed air/vapor envelope virtually
eliminates moisture and air seeping through the outside walls.
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They feel more comfortable because the
super-insulation keeps the interior wall temperatures more stable.
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The indoor humidity is better
controlled, and drafts are reduced.
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They are very quiet because of the naturally
tight construction and the sound absorption provided by the SIP's
(structurally insulated panels).
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The entire design from framing and insulation
to selecting appliances and lighting, incorporates ways to save energy
every step of the way.
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High-performance windows, Controlled air
infiltration, Lower power consumption / high efficiency heating and air
conditioning systems, tight duct systems
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Upgraded water-filtration and water heating
equipment.
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Central computer interface with easy to use
consumer friendly software monitors and controls all appliances,
electrical outlets, power and other utility consumption used by the home.
When purchasing or building a new home there
are a number of environmental factors to be considered.
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First, is this house an energy hog - a gas
guzzler that is going to rob you of thousands of dollars annually in excessive
utility bills?
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An energy hog is bad for you and bad for the
planet.
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Analyze the environmental impact of
construction materials.
Are they healthy for the planet?
Are they healthy for people?
 Energy
Star Builder Program
The features of our homes far exceed the requirements of builders participating
in the federal government’s Energy Star program, which promotes energy-efficient
houses. Energy Star-qualified homes are independently verified to be at least
30% more energy efficient than homes built to the 1993 national Model Energy
Code or 15% more efficient than state energy code — whichever is more rigorous.
These savings are based on heating, cooling and hot water energy use. The
techniques, designs, building materials and experience of Energy Wise
Homebuilders, Co makes it possible to build homes that are 50% to 75% more
efficient than the average Energy Star certified home.
GOALS Several goals were enumerated early in the design phase of
these new homes by Energy Wise Home Builders, Co.
These features contribute to improved home quality
and homeowner comfort and to lower energy demand and reduced air pollution.
They were:
AIR QUALITY
·Inert materials should be used wherever
possible.
·The use of toxic pest control chemicals should be avoided.
·The house should be built in an airtight manner for controlling the
infiltration of polluted air.
·A method of ventilating the whole house should be employed to provide fresh
air to all rooms, additionally more powerful exhaust fans should be used in
rooms where pollutants or moisture are generated.
·The house should have a mechanical air filtration system to remove pollutants generated indoors by the occupants or brought indoors with
the ventilation air.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
·The house should have superb insulation
levels.
·Windows and doors should be energy efficient.
·The mechanical ventilation equipment should be energy efficient.
STRENGTH & DURABILITY
·The home should be hurricane, tornado and
earthquake resistant and be able to withstand winds of at least 200MPH
·The home should be designed with minimum
maintenance requirements and be constructed of materials impervious to mold
and insect infestation.
·The home should meet or exceed the toughest
national building
codes for hurricane, earthquake, flood and fire-proofing.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
·The construction materials should be readily
available.
·Environmentally hazardous materials should be
avoided including chemically treated products that can irritate sensitive
individuals with allergies, children and pets.
·Difficult construction techniques should be avoided.
·The house should not look unusual.
·The house should be affordable.
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