House As A System

House As A System

Not real estate related, but systems related: I am participating in an extraordinary leadership program here in Clark County Washington, and the topic of 'systems' has been a recurrent theme.  That is probably why I noticed this article at the Eco-Broker website. 

A recent home inspection I attended revealed some mold in an attic space and highlights the importance of recognizing your home is a system and often change in one part affects performance in other parts.

House as a System Technology Snapshot & Benefits: When building new energy-efficient houses or making existing houses more efficient significant energy gains can be realized, just by treating the House as a System. You cannot make changes to one part of a house without affecting the many other parts that make up the house system. The house system is made up of the building envelope (foundation, walls, ceiling), the heating and cooling system, the water heating system, the lighting system, the appliances, and a fireplace if present.

Estimated Cost Savings: Making the home as tight as possible has an incredible impact on your heating and cooling bills. Issues: Tight homes need sealed-combustion furnaces and water heaters or outside air for combustion in wood-burning fireplaces. Common mistakes include putting non-sealed combustion furnaces and water heaters or wood-burning fireplaces in tight energy-efficient homes. With a tight house, something as simple as turning on your dryer or a down-vented range can pull the ashes and combustion by-products right out of the fireplace or down the chimney of the furnace or water heater and back into the house. Increasing the insulation in a wall or attic without sealing the air leaks from the inside into that space can lead to mold and rotting problems. Proper roof insulation is important to prevent ice damming on roofs.

Regional Issues: In cold climates, sealing penetrations on the inside into walls and attics is important in keeping the moist inside air from getting into the cold spaces and condensing. In warm climates, it works the other way around. You need to keep warm moist outside air from reaching the back of the drywall that can be colder due to air conditioning. Sealed combustion appliances are a must for any climate region. Installation (Getting It Done): With a new house, you want to build it as tight as possible. Install sealed combustion gas appliances and a controlled ventilation system.

More Information On This Topic:

Building Science Corporation: House Design Recommendations by Climate Region (http://www.buildingscience.com/housesthatwork/) Building Science Corporation's guidelines for quality energy-efficient design and construction.

The Energy and Environmental Building Association Criteria (http://www.eeba.org/technology/criteria.htm) The Energy and Environmental Building Association (EEBA) has developed goals, objectives and criteria for energy and resource efficient buildings. They provide guidance for design, construction and comprehensive rehabilitation (gut-rehab) of low-rise residential and small commercial buildings less than 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) floor area.

Whether you're looking for green-built homes, homes in walkable communities, or homes on acreage to support a sustainable lifestyle, OR if you wonder why those categories should matter to you then I can help you. 

Whether you're looking for your first home, or possibly your last, or selling either of them, I have the patience and experience to help you make the best choice in Vancouver Washington. The Natural Choice in real estate is working with a professional real estate agent (me!) at Krogseng Real Estate who listens to your needs and works as a trusted advisor to get the best solution to your housing needs. We will give you a new attitude about real estate. If you are concerned about living a more sustainable lifestyle, Vancouver Washington may be the city for you. I specialize in knowing the neighborhoods in Vancouver Washington that have great walkscore ratings. Whether you want the low-maintenance condo lifestyle, a home that gets you off the grid, or a home that is something in between in Clark County, the natural choice in real estate will be someone that can help you find just the right home and neighborhood. If you're looking for homes that have been certified as green, you'll want to know I keep informed of the newly constructed homes and their various green certifications. Visit Krogseng Real Estate for more information.