Building a Custom Energy-Efficient Home: Where Do You start?

If you are thinking about building a custom energy-efficient home, where do you start?

 

Custom Energy-Efficient Home

Climate Considerations

Many will first go to the internet (thanks for reading my blog) to get their information. This is a great place to gather lots of opinions, but be sure you are looking at opinions based on your specific climate. Here in Virginia, we are in a mixed humid climate. Your climate impacts many decisions and solutions that are viable for the creation of a custom energy-efficient home.

Custom Energy-Efficient Home

Know Your Builder

Outside the building science decisions, there are other factors that will impact your success in achieving energy efficiency in a custom home. Probably the largest is knowing what is possible / typical by builders in the area. While all builders are able to use any method of construction (sticks, concrete, SIPS…) it is not wise to have a builder learn a new system on your project. In our area, there are drastic differences in the various builders. However, some systems are not used at all here, which leads to uncertainty, more time required, and higher prices. Knowing these skills will benefit the end quality of your home, as well as the final costs.

Custom Energy-Efficient Home

Product Availability

Product availability is another major force that can impact the success of your project. Knowing and selecting what building supply companies stock vs. special order will save you money. It also gives you the opportunity to find information about the products you want to use. All building supply companies know the products they stock and can offer feedback based on past projects. This expertise will help you avoid mistakes that have been made in the past.

Pick the Right Team

Building a new home is complicated. Building a custom home that is specific to your needs requires careful design and many conversations that will not be found in a magazine or by designing it yourself. Adding the goal of energy-efficiency brings a challenge that can only be achieved with the right team in place. Be sure your team understands your goals, building science, and the local level of product availability and skills available. Here are some other resources that might be useful:

Custom Energy-Efficient Home

Harrisonburg Sustainable Farmhouse

  1. Know the difference between a custom-house and a new house
  2. Here are some questions to ask yourself
  3. Here are some basics with links to more information
  4. Do you need an architect or can you just find a plan online
  5. Pick the right builder

 

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Related Posts

Now hiring: Office Manager / Bookkeeper

Now hiring: Office Manager / Bookkeeper

Now hiring: Office Manager / Bookkeeper Gaines Group Architects is growing again. We believe strongly in being in ...
Albemarle County Custom Homes and Renovations

Albemarle County Custom Homes and Renovations

Albemarle County Custom Homes and Renovations Our firm was founded in Charlotteville, Virginia over 36 years ago. ...
Historic Renovations

Historic Renovations

Historic Renovations We love saving historic structures and implementing building science knowledge so that they ...
Planning a kitchen renovation

Planning a kitchen renovation

Whatever your kitchen is to you, you deserve to have it be a special place that fits your needs both functionally ...

Discover more from The Gaines Group Architects

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading