Most homes built to code minimum standards (the worst possible home you can build by law) are energy hogs. This home is no exception. Can you identify some common issues in this fairly typical home? Answers will be posted tomorrow on this blog.
Remember when you are clearing your driveway from a snow storm to also remove the snow from your outdoor units.
![IMG_2319[1] snow](https://thegainesgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/img_23191-1024x1024.jpg)
Snow, ice, and leaves can pile up around your outdoor heat pump which could drastically reduce the efficiency of the unit. The outdoor unit may also not be able to defrost as intended shortening the lifespan of the unit. Read more here to see how the snow can help you be more efficient. Have fun shoveling!
A green roof, living roof, or vegetated roof are all terms used to describe a partially or completely covered roof with vegetation over a waterproof membrane. There are two types of vegetated roofs, intensive or extensive. The difference is simply the depth of the planting medium.
The traditional vegetated roof uses larger plants and a deeper soil to support the root growth. Newer technology has allowed for a lighter planting medium that supports sedum plantings, but would not work for larger plants.
Vegetative roofs are not a new concept, having been developed originally in Germany in the 1960s. They have become more popular with the benefits of added insulation, reduced storm-water runoff, habitat creation, and protection of roof membranes. Vegetative roofs also benefit the reduction of heat island impacts in the urban setting.
Thanks for all your comments about the design flaws in the below images. You guys hit all the high points. The biggest is accessibility for sure. A door handle that can be opened with an elbow as well as a hand offers more flexibility for those of any ability. If you have your hands full or if you have bad arthritis you can still operate the door.
Certainly the builder grade brass hardware is not going to last and is already out of “style.” This hardware will look worn in a matter of years and will most likely not hold up as far as durability is concerned. Spending a little more on quality up front will reduce your overall maintenance costs on any project.
Having the door open so close to the corner will make it very difficult to use for someone in a wheelchair. It also greatly limits the flexibility of furniture layouts in this space.
No deadbolt in the front door leaves a bit to be desired where security is concerned.
Also, there is no screen door on either the front door or back door so there is little chance to open up and air out the house on a nice day.
The number and strength of extreme weather events continues to increase. Watching the news we see stories of floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme cold temperatures. The news coverage shows buildings that no longer exist. Piles of rubble where once birthdays were celebrated. Crushed spirits where once a small business thrived.
How will your home survive? Will it survive? Which storms are you prepared for in the future? What temperature extremes can your home remain comfortable?
Resilient design is the capacity to adapt to changing conditions and to maintain or regain functionality and vitality in the face of stress or disturbance. It is the capacity to bounce back after a disturbance or interruption of some sort.
What level should we design our buildings? What extreme weather are you planning for in your designs?
To air seal a typical home, you could caulk and weather seal all the gaps and cracks in the thermal envelope (electrical outlets, around recessed lights, attic access, doors and windows, and around HVAC boots). The big holes will most likely be the band board (where the floor joists hit the outside walls). These are best sealed with spray foam insulation (open cell not closed cell).
Then, most likely your attic does not have enough insulation and probably not air tight insulation. This is a hard decision to make – to fix the air tight issue you usually need to remove the insulation that is already there. Most people, including myself, don’t like throwing away something you already paid for. So typically, you just accept the air leakage in the attic insulation and add another layer of insulation on top of what you have there. Code minimum is R-38, but I would suggest a minimum of R-50, but like to see R-72 if budget and space allow.
Basement renovation
A basement / crawl space is another good place to attack if the space is not finished. We often find insulation in the floor system above. It should be on the walls for better performance. The band board is often not insulated at all, this area should be sprayed foam.