At Alair Homes we recognize that energy efficiency in home building is not something slapped on after construction. Green homes begin on white paper, with architects and builders consciously designing and building our homes to make the most of energy-efficient practices. Here are seven features builders can concentrate their efforts.

Framing

A balloon-framed house depends on insulation between solid lumber for energy efficiency. Most solid lumbar used for framing your home has a low R-value (resistance to heat transfer) of around 1, while quality insulation between the framing provides a much higher R-22. We place insulation everywhere we can, between beams, under eaves, between roof trusses, in headers above doors and windows, and in corners. The exterior walls of your house create as perfect an insulation envelope as possible.

Insulation

Insulation simply separates two zones with different temperatures. During winter, builders help keep expensively treated warm air inside with highest quality insulation, at the optimal thickness. During summer, that same insulation prevents heat gain from outside. Insulation in walls, ceilings, around windows, in the floor and throughout the framing is a permanent investment in dramatic energy savings. Rooms stay at a constant, comfortable temperature with no hot or cold spots.

Windows

Anytime you pierce the exterior building envelope, you lose energy efficiency. Windows and doors are often responsible for tremendous energy loss. Today’s double- and triple-glazed windows, however, do a superb job preventing nearly all heat transfer. Advanced frame construction, e-coatings, inert gas between panes, and insulating edging and spacers all add to energy efficiency. Green windows minimize heat transfer, solar heat gain and air leakage, while increasing visible light transmittance.

Lighting

Capitalizing on daylight from energy-efficient windows, you can reduce your need for electrical lighting, but even when you flip the switch, our energy-efficient, dimmable lights reduce your carbon footprint and boost your energy savings. Using home automation, pinpoint lighting, LED bulbs and other advanced features, Alair Homes puts your green home features at your fingertips:

• • Timers for indoor and outdoor lighting
• • Dimmer controls from a single, convenient panel
• • Mood lighting
• • Efficient recessed lighting

Plumbing

Green homes do more than conserve fossil fuels and reduce electrical use; they also conserve water. With diminishing freshwater supplies, enforced water conservation becomes ever more common. Our beautiful new homes use many water-saving techniques:

• • Low-flow shower-heads
• • High-efficiency toilets
• • On-demand circulation systems
• • Reduced-flow faucets
• • Water-conserving appliances

In addition, we routinely insulate hot water heaters and hot water supply pipes, reducing the need to reheat already heated water.

HVAC

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are the largest consumers of energy in any home. Radiant floor heating uses some 65 percent less energy than forced-air (furnace) systems. Carefully balanced central air conditioners significantly reduce energy consumption. We precisely connect and seal all ductwork, which often accounts for as much as 20 percent air leakage in home cooling and heating.

Home Automation

Alair Homes can provide your new home with state-of-the-art home automation systems. These can control lighting, heating and cooling, shades, draperies, awnings and more. Each of these automated features improves energy efficiency by blocking sunlight on hot days, reducing electrical consumption, and welcoming in warmth on cold days.

When you consider all the innovative, green home features you will find in a custom home by Alair Homes, you can be confident you are getting an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly house that will bring years of lower energy bills without sacrificing comfort.

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