ARE YOU LIVING CERTIFIED GREEN?

ARE YOU LIVING CERTIFIED GREEN? 

I. Energy Efficiency

Is your home well constructed by having continuous air barrier, reduced drafts and air penetration? Ideally, a reflective barrier is under your roof and above the insulation. Snug-tight construction. Seal around all pipes, gaps, doors and windows. Insulation should be code required R-value or greater and with contact of the air barrier to prevent air movement. Also, insulation has to be Indoor Air Quality Certified or manufactured from at least 75% recycled content. Your HVAC system should be the “perfect size” for your cooling square footage for best performance and efficiency of equipment. Bigger equipment is not necessary and may even cause humidity and cost more electricity.

The electrical hard wired system should be at least 60% compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED) lights that reduce energy consumption.

Use dimmer switches for non-fluorescent fixtures.

Windows should be dual glazed (double paned) or install the low-E emissivity window. Low-E windows have a thin metal coating that allows light but inhibits thermal heat gain.

For estimating tools, go to: www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com