WE BUILD HOMES THAT OPERATE EFFICIENTLY BY UTILIZING:
STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS (SIPs)
Our SIPs are cut to exact specifications by a computer-guided machine off-site by our partners at Insulspan. They are produced with such precision that, once installed, they provide the most airtight and well insulated building enclosure system available.
SIPs are widely regarded as a win-win both for the environment and for homeowners. Information on the many benefits of using SIPs can be found wherever you look.
CHECK OUT: • Green Building With SIPs • Builder Online •
• Tests have shown that structures built with SIP wall and roof panels are 15 times more airtight than their stick framed counterparts with fiberglass insulation. Based on the reliable performance of SIPs, ENERGY STAR for Homes chose to eliminate the required blower door test for SIP homes to meet ENERGY STAR standards. (Up to 40% of a home’s heat loss is due to air leakage)
• SIP assemblies provide much higher effective thermal resistance than other construction methods. These properties allow the system to work in concert with other energy-efficient components like windows, doors, and HVAC systems to reduce heat lost by 40-60% over standard wood-framed construction.
• Higher R-value for your walls and roof means less heat loss and less energy needed for heating and cooling. Smaller HVAC units save energy, space, and money.
In order to properly size your HVAC and to maximize your energy efficiency, we provide pre-construction home energy analysis based on 3D modeling and real time climate simulation. (For this, we partner with Trautman Associates, an architectural engineering firm that specializes in sustainable building.)
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN
Our designers orient windows and walls and place awnings and porches to shade windows and roofs during the summer while maximizing solar gain in the winter.
Check out: • Green Passive Solar Magazine •
DAYLIGHTING
Our designers effectively place windows to provide more natural light and lessen the need for electric lighting during the day.
Check out: • Daylighting @ The Department of Energy •
FULL ENVELOPE USAGE
SIPs act as a thermal blanket, where everything inside your walls and roof is conditioned space. We take advantage of every cubic inch of volume, which allows us to build smaller footprints that live larger than the square footage would lead you to believe.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
If your budget and climate allow, on-site generation of renewable energy through solar power, wind power, hydro power, or biomass can be installed to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the building and to provide energy for your home.
EFFICIENCY • SUSTAINABLE DESIGN • HOME OPERATING EFFICIENCY • GREEN BUILDING • WASTE & POLLUTION