Inexpensive Energy Efficient SIPs Home Earns Energy Star.
By David Popoff, Realtor ~ Green.
Building with Structural Insulated Panels, SIPs can be an inexpensive way to build a home in Connecticut as this Old Lyme family has done. This energy efficient home of 1800 square feet cost $122 per square foot to build in 2008 and was awarded the Energy Star for Home designation.
Getting a good air seal as well as a high insulation value is an important step in building an energy efficient home and with this SIPs system the 8 inch walls have an R value of 30 and the 12 inch roof has an R-45. For an air tight envelope the SIPs panels were foamed together.
Another contribution to the low price of construction on this project was to build a shallow frost protected foundation using Insulated Concrete Forms, ICF. ICF are interlocking modular units that are a day stacked formwork filled with concrete.
With such an air tight home an Energy Recovery Ventilator, ERV is installed with the associated ductwork to introduce fresh air into the home. The ERV can be programed to run on a timer and/or respond to interior humidity and Carbon Dioxide levels.
To read more on this Connecticut Energy Efficient Home click here.
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