Insulation materials are rated according to their ability to resist heat flow. The thermal resistance rating is known as an "R-value". The higher the R-value of a material, the better its ability to resist heat flow.
Most new homes are insulated with fiberglass batt insulation. However, improper installation of the fiberglass batts can significantly reduce its effectiveness. Gaps or voids can provide paths through which heat and air can easily flow into or out of the home. Compressing the insulation … (0 comments)
green building: Advanced framing techniques increase energy-efficiency
- 07/16/10 04:01 PM
An effective building envelope - the first floor, exterior walls, and roof - is a key element for an energy-efficient home. Advanced framing techniques increase efficiency and comfort while decreasing costs. Most homes in Boise are framed with wood and wood loses or gains heat more quickly than insulation. In wood frame construction, studs, joists and rafters are placed at regular intervals throughout the building envelope. Standard construction practice places these framing members at 16 inches on center. The cavities formed by the framing members are filled with insulation. Standard construction practice at exterior corners and at the intersection of interior … (1 comments)
green building: Building an energy-efficient home in Boise, Idaho
- 07/07/10 05:05 PM
The 2010 AVID Home Design Driver Research Survey showed that the majority of home buyers rated energy efficiency as a "Must Have" for their new homes. Although Boise and southwestern Idaho have some of the lowest power rates in the nation, home buyers still want their new homes to be energy efficient.
How do you build an energy-efficient home in Boise, Idaho and how much more does it cost? The U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program has shown that new homes can be both energy efficient to live in and cost effective to build. In fact, the energy consumption … (1 comments)
green building: Is it Easy Being Green?
- 04/27/08 11:37 AM
Kermit the Frog doesn't think so. But like a lot of things, it depends on who you ask. If you ask me, my answer would be "Yes, it is easy and it's getting easier." In a new survey, which polled 1,001 U.S. homeowners, 28 percent of respondents said they believe it's extremely important to be environmentally responsible. But is it hard to build green? Do you have to live in a straw-bale cottage or some other strange building to say you're a green home owner? The answer is NO and NO. In February, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) launched the … (1 comments)
Insulation is a key element in building a more comfortable and energy efficient home in Boise, Idaho or elsewhere.
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