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Green on a Budget!
Recently, so many people have
asked if they can build a green home without spending a fortune that I
decided to dedicate the June newsletter to this topic. The answer is
YES! In fact, there are some very simple concepts that
should be done to any potential green home before you add any “green”
products.
The first and most important thing to do is to design for your site. When you are shopping for your land, whether it is rural acreage or a suburban lot, consider the orientation of the land. Is the best view to the West? What is the street orientation? Where are the breezes coming from? It is important purchase a site that will help you have less wall and window exposure to the East and West and capture breezes where possible.
If you are purchasing rural land, you may have several choices of orientation for your home. A West view can be dealt with by means of porches and overhangs, but it is better not to have this issue if possible. It is also better to have the longer sides of your home facing North and South, and the shorter sides facing East and West.
When designing your home, proper overhangs will help keep the sun out of your home resulting in lower utility bills, so it pays to know where the sun is. East and West sides will have a low sun exposure so it is best to limit windows on those sides or provide patios for protection where suitable. The North side has wonderful light and will never have direct sunlight. The South side will have varying sun angles throughout the year, in the Summer the sun is higher in the sky, and in the Winter the sun is lower. It makes sense to let the sun in for the Winter so an appropriately sized overhang is a simple solution. If you plan on the months between the Spring and Fall Equinox to shade your windows, you should create South facing overhangs that block sun to the bottom of your window at a 60 degree angle.
Additionally, consider Summer breezes, which typically come from the South East. Orient your home and design patios and windows to capture breezes and bring them through your home giving you a cooling benefit during the hot Summer months.
Another important requirement for our region is creating an air barrier. Not long ago, people were concerned about keeping moisture out of their houses and started using a vapor barrier typically needed in the Northern region due to snow damming. This does not work for our region because for at least half of the year, we keep the inside of our homes colder than the outside. So what happens to a cold drink on a hot day? Condensation!!! A vapor barrier creates moisture in our homes that can lead to the production of mold.
An air barrier is what we need in Central Texas to eliminate air leaks in our homes. No air should escape through any crack or crevice, but moisture should be able to dry to the inside and outside of your walls. When building a home with dimensional lumber, there are many places that air can escape unless properly sealed. Where the studs meet the plywood, where the ceiling joist meet the sheet rock and window and door joints are all places for potential leaks. These must all be caulked or sealed properly. One of the best ways to do this is to use a thin layer of spray foam insulation on the interior of every surface of the exterior envelope. The material is more expensive than caulk, but is very quick and covers every possible leak. Caulking is labor intensive and harder to guarantee the seal of all leaks. Other type wall and roof systems can be used to achieve this effect, but traditionally have been more expensive. This industry is changing constantly so if you find a great deal, make sure that the product is made by a reputable company and the product has been properly tested and engineered.
Another important recommendation is a vented roof system and sealed attic. This is done by using an air channel sandwiched between a radiant barrier and insulation in the roof rafters. The air channel has moving air that keeps the insulation from heating from the roof, therefore keeping the attic much cooler. The attic is sealed and insulated so your mechanicals placed there will not have to work as hard and will last longer. Any gas mechanicals must be vented properly with this method.
Lastly, by taking advantage of a one time opportunity to install grey water use. Reusing your water on your lawn and around the perimeter of your slab can have a major impact on your water bill and a lasting effect on our diminishing water supply.
This affordable green home can be built with out buying additional products and with a nominal extra expense by using these methods. Whether or not you choose to purchase green products like solar panels or insulated concrete forms, you will make the important first steps for a properly designed green home that fits your budget.
Check out our website
Contact Cammi Klier at 512.330.9309
or cklier@cdshomedesign.com
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