Keeping your home warm and comfortable is necessary. Creating an energy efficient home allows that moderate temperature to be maintained affordably, while reducing your family's carbon footprint. The expertise of a general contractor is invaluable when improving the efficiency of your home. An energy retrofit covers a variety of areas and requires an extensive amount of work.
What is the Building Envelope?
The building envelope consists of all the components that make up the outer layer, separating the interior of the house from the exterior. Every area of the home is included, from the roof and walls to the foundation and footing - both below grade and above grade components.
Upgrades to the building envelope will improve efficiency by adding insulation, blocking drafts and reducing moisture or humidity. Assessment is the first step, and the general contractor will work alongside you to ensure every component of the building envelope is providing the maximum amount of protection.
Common Upgrades
Four basic areas make up the building envelope, including:
- roof/attic
- walls
- doors/windows
- basement foundation
Upgrading the building envelope to create a more efficient home involves certain steps. Following each of these steps carefully will allow your home to be transformed from top to bottom.
Step 1 - Assessment
Your general contractor may arrange for the assessment or perform it. Independent assessors provide an unbiased opinion, outlining the work that needs to be done and prioritizing the projects to maximize improvement.
Assessments look at the condition of your roof and foundation, the level of insulation, and the ventilation system. Is your home airtight? And are the windows and doors designed with energy efficiency in mind? These questions will allow you to properly grade the existing condition of your home, as well as uncovering the projects that will improve those conditions.
Get involved with the assessment process, asking questions and clarifying all of the work required. Details allow you to make better decisions and written reports provide homeowners and general contractors the details required to handle the upgrades. Remember that the best projects offer the greatest benefit for a reasonable investment.
Step 2 - Structural Repairs
The initial work done on your home will be focused on structural upgrades and repairs. Decay and damage to the roof often results in water leakage, and cracks in the foundation create excessive moisture inside your home. These conditions will need to be looked after before any other upgrades are started.
The proper balance of airflow needs to be created in your home. And when damage or other issues alters that flow it will significantly affect the efficiency. Moisture coming into the house indicates that air leakage is a problem. Heated air will have the opportunity to escape into the external atmosphere during cold months, while your air conditioner will work extra hard in the summer if air leakage is left unchecked.
General contractors are often well trained in energy efficient projects, and they are likely to have the support of structural engineers. This combination offers homeowners the design and construction expertise required to ensure a solid house structure.
Step 3 - Strengthen the Envelope
Insulation provides a barrier against heat transfer, and is a necessary part of your building envelope. Strengthen that envelope by adding insulation behind the walls, in the attic and around the foundation. Remember that sealing is nearly as important as insulation, and provides another effective moisture and heat barrier.
Attic insulation should be inspected as part of the home assessment, and the proper method of installing that insulation should be followed. Depending on the design and size of your home, attic insulation can be blown in or strategically placed.
Wall insulation includes sheathing installed under the exterior siding and wall cavity insulation installed between the framing. Adding wall insulation requires refinishing, easily taken care of by your general contractor. Homeowners can increase insulation while tackling a kitchen remodel, living space renovations or roofing replacements.
Ideally, foundation insulation should be installed on the outside. This process is easier and provides an added moisture barrier, as well as improving the R-value of your home. If exterior installation is not possible, have your general contractor ensure that the interior is completely free of moisture. Otherwise mold and mildew could become an issue.
Step 4 - Doors and Windows
Older windows and doors provide very little insulation against heat loss, when compared to the newer designs available today. Consider triple glazed windows with low E coatings and composite doors that provide security and insulation. These upgrades are often quick and affordable, delivering instant benefits in the form of lower heating and cooling bills. New doors and windows may also help to increase the value of your home.
Step 5 - HVAC Systems
Your general contractor can also take a look at your heating and cooling systems. Be sure the contractor has licensed gas fitters on staff and invest in a high efficiency furnace and well-designed duct system. Modifications can be made to existing systems, but older heating appliances will need to be replaced.
Ventilation is another key component. Retrofit renovations may affect the ventilation systems, meaning it's best to redesign the system at the end of all renovations. Heat recovery should be an integral part of the new ventilation. Systems that do not account for optimum ventilation will result in odors and excessive humidity.
Improving the energy efficiency of your home is a wise idea, helping you to control rising heating costs and create a greener residence. A general contractor will help you through the entire process, from the assessment stage to structural repairs, insulating, doors and windows replacement and HVAC redesigns. Look forward to a more comfortable home that wastes less energy, and contact a general contractor to help you get there.
Posted by: dianaSuggested Reading For You
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