There are five common errors that builders make in the efficiency of energy, resources and health. There are far too many green builders out there that are completely missing the mark. There are five mistakes that are being perpetrated, but that you can avoid easily with the right know-how.
#5: Installing HVAC Ducts in Unconditioned Spaces
HVAC ducts should be installed in better locations, such as between the floors or in dropped soffits that are positioned within conditioned areas inside the home. This way, the conditioned air will always travel though the ducts at the room temperature. Some builders that are thinking ahead are making sure to condition the attic, placing insulation in the roof deck rather than in the ceiling to bring down attic temperatures which is a step in the right direction.
#4: Tight Homes Build without Any Ventilation
You should be installing a complete house ventilation system as standard equipment within a home in order to provide plenty of fresh air in a home that is air tight. The solution is always to design a home with fresh air in mind. A whole house ventilation system should be installed and then tested for performance. The ventilation system should make sure that the house is bringing in as well as dispersing 50 CFM worth of fresh air for a period of 15 or 20 minutes every hour or so for the best results.
#3: Using Improper Flashing and Improper Drainage Planes
When it comes to managing water, using improper drainage planes and flashing is a rookie mistake. It becomes important, then, to pay extremely close attention to flashing on windows, sealing penetrations and where the water coming off of your roof is ending up. There is very little room available for flexibility. You need to be prepared to pain flash doors and windows in every type of climate for the best results. You also want to flash any and all penetrations using a weather resistant barriers, and kick flashing, complex connections and gutters should all be properly flashed and drained using intentional paths for water, slopes and shingling.
#2: Selecting and Installing the Wrong Insulation
We only get one single shot when it comes to properly insulating our homes as well as air sealing them, and this is not a place where we should be scrimping. It is vitally important, then, that we choose the right type of insulation, such as a sturdy blown-in type of insulation that can fill walls as compactly and as tightly as possible. All penetrations in the attic, garage and leading outdoors should be sealed to get the most out of your insulation. The right sealing with the right insulation will mean cheaper heating and cooling costs as well as improved customer satisfaction at the same time.
#1: Wasting Resources
You probably do not need as much stuff as you once thought. The building industry often uses too many resources, wasting them. What are you throwing away that could be reused? There is nothing more effective in green building than reusing everything that you can. There are always ways to be more profitable, greener and infinitely more effective just by using less. If you plan ahead and really take a hard look at what you're looking at, you can find ways to streamline the building process, wasting fewer resources in the process.
Photo Credits: billjacobus1
Originally posted 2009-07-24 05:22:03. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
The Truth of Green Product Claims If you are confused when it comes to green building products and the claims that are being made by their manufacturers, you are not the only one. Navigating the complex world behind green products and the claims that they make is not always easy, but it has become necessary in...... -
Best Stump Grinder Models It's important that when you use a stump grinder you make sure that it's not an old and obsolete model. For instance, if you're going to rent a stump grinder to remove a tree stump in your yard or garden, be sure you're renting it from someplace that has up-to-date...... -
Healthy Green Alternatives Push Asbestos Out of the Home Today's article is written by Joe Lederman, an Awareness Coordinator at the Mesothelioma Cancer Center. When purchasing or remodeling a home or building, there are many variables to consider. Homes which were built prior to 1980 have a strong likelihood of containing asbestos materials. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that...... -
Household Ventilation There is a renewed need for mechanical filtration in our homes, as the technology that has become part of the house helps to work more efficiently, leading to a need for maintain air quality in much tighter quarters. This need is very significant, as the American Lung Association has compiled...... -
Taking DIY Disasters into Your Own Hands Watching home improvement television may inspire you to tackle your own home renovation projects, but just as quickly as you found the inspiration to get started, you will find yourself getting over your head. Every year, millions of Americans are tackling their own home remodeling projects, both large and small.......
Related Websites -
The Best Home Improvements for Home Value Home improvement is a field that is relatively widespread in nature as there are a number of different ideas for you to choose from when it comes to choosing the best home improvements for your space. During the summer months, many people put thought into remodeling and improving their home,...... -
Removing a Popcorn Ceiling A lot of people can look up at their ceilings right now, and what they are going to see up there is a textured ceiling that is not unlike popcorn in shape. A lot of people that have a popcorn ceiling actually wish that they did not. This was once...... -
How Your House Works by Charlie Wing If you have ever looked at a sink, a lamp or anything in your house and wondered how does that work this book has your answers. Any homeowner can benefit from learning more about how specific appliances and fixtures work, but there are not many resources that put it all...... -
Keep Your Home Safe with a Maintenance Check List Every home has certain requirements, and a seasonal maintenance checklist can help you remember when you last did something, and when it needs to be done again. We all know to replace a light bulb when it burns out and to repair grout when it cracks. But those things that...... - Book Review: Insulate and Weatherize - Expert Advice from Start to Finish By Bruce Harley As energy costs continue to rise, many homeowners are starting to get serious about how much money they are wasting on home heating costs. In reality, if your home is poorly insulated, and you have not taken the steps to weatherize it properly, the fact is, your money is going......
- Cherry Wood Lumber, Plywood & Molding Building & Hardware Home Improvement
- Green Mountain Coffee Food & Wine Home Store
- Knobs Doors & Door Hardware Building & Hardware Home Improvement
- Owl House For Rodent Control Pest & Weed Control Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
- Snow Roof Rakes, Shovels & Hoes Garden Tools & Equipment Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
Categories:
Green Construction, Home
Tags:
1 comment so far ↓
Great article. Also to note is over-air sealing a home can create a more dangerous situation if there was a preexisting condition creating a carbon monoxide or natural gas buildup.
Leave a Comment