Tag: energy efficient

Most Popular Housing Trends for 2017

The past few years have seen a rise in several housing trends that we predict will continue on through this year and even 2018.  Many millennials are buying and building homes and they are looking to make a smaller footprint and simplify.  The architectural features that were important to older generations are no longer needed or are out of place in the modern home.

Green Living

Energy efficient appliances and windows are a must for any new homes, long-term savings and the environmental implications are something that most people consider now.  With the onset of low-flow faucets, solar heating, tankless water heaters, and duel-flush toilets, it’s becoming easier to make every aspect of a home save time, money, and resources.

Disappearing Living Rooms

Livings rooms as a separate room are becoming less and less common, instead what homebuyers or homebuilders are looking for is a “great room”.  This is an open floor plan that combines that family, kitchen, and dining rooms into one huge common room.  This room has space for homework to be done, meals to be eaten, parties to be had, and more.

Kitchens

Walk-in pantries and huge islands are on their way out while recessed lighting and large farmhouse style sinks are becoming increasingly popular.  Resell value is a big thing with the more transient millennials, and therefore the modern sleek kitchen is making way for the cozy and comfortable kitchen which has proved itself popular through many different kitchen trends. 

Copper

Copper is the new hot metal for fixtures, and mixing copper or gold with wood is becoming even more popular, though gold and bronze are also becoming more sought after.  Grays and blacks are making their way up to the top of most desirable neutrals as well.  All of these colors work well together or separately, and also mix well in many different mediums, shades, and materials.

Raw Materials

Materials such as stone and wood are making their way back into homes in place of stainless steel and tile.  Featuring the raw organic beauty of nature (whether manufactured to look like nature or truly from nature) is the way to go; everything in its natural form.

The Best 5 Things to Raise Home Value

Raising your home’s value, whether you are in it to stay or are looking to sell, is always a great idea.  Here are our top 5 improvements that will raise the value of your home.

  1. Insulation

One of the easiest and quickest things you can do yourself (it will probably take you a weekend or two), insulation can save you money on utilities while you’re in the home, and be a nice asset for homebuyers.  Attic insulation is the best place to start and can prevent up to 30% of your cool or heated air from literally flying out the roof, but even just caulking around windows and doors will help insulate your house.

  1. Lighting

Recessed lighting has been getting a lot of attention lately and for good reason; kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces can all benefit from good lighting.  Track lighting is another good solution to really brighten up rooms and show off the home’s character.  Good lighting is always a sure investment to spring for when improving your home.

  1. Lawn Care

Updating your walkway with pavers or buying some grass seed/sod for your front yard adds great curb appeal.  Opinions are formed from the second a person drives up to your home and your lawn is one of the first things that they will see.  Be sure to keep up with edging and mowing your lawn and consider investing in a few large planters with some cheery flowers.  A little goes a long way and you don’t have to spend very much to make a difference.

  1. Remove popcorn from the ceilings.

This is the major thing that dates most homes, no one likes popcorn anymore and though it can be a pain to DIY or a bit pricey to have it done, this is one improvement that is worth paying to have done.

  1. Kitchen

The number one thing to consider in your kitchen is the layout; most people refer to the most important area in your kitchen as “the triangle”.  This is the place where your stove, dishwasher, and sink are located ideally allowing for a seamless workspace.  Before making any surface adjustments, consider if you should make a major overhaul of your kitchen space to remove any obstacles in this area.  Appliances, colors, even countertops will all go in and out of style, but the layout of a kitchen, good or bad, will last a lifetime.

Best Stair Designs for a Custom Home

A great use of space for custom homes is to have a second story, there are several reasons for this:

  1. Roofing per square foot is going to be one of larger expenses that you pay for your custom home.
  2. It’s easier and cheaper to cool and heat a two story house than a one story.
  3. Some experts say that a two story house can be up to 33% cheaper per square foot to build than a one story house.

Because of these benefits, many people choose a two story house design instead of a one story, which means that unless you plan on using a ladder to access your second floor, you’ll need to consider stair designs and how they will fit into your custom house design.

Stairs have two main types: plain and elaborate.  Less expensive smaller houses designs typically include the plainer stairs while more expensive larger houses have the fancier ones.

Shape

A grand staircase can be a main design element of the character of your home, it can have a circular shape, less steep of a step, and be as wide as you’d like.  A plainer staircase will be a standard size and shape, twelve inches deep and six inches high.  While an elaborate staircase may be featured near the front entrance, a plainer staircase is usually found nearer the back of the house.  A plain staircase is likely to involve a turn or two, this is because a straight flight of steps takes up a lot of space while a 90 or 180 degree turn will save space for other rooms.  More extravagant staircases usually feature a gentle turn that is easy on the eyes.

Materials

Though many people choose carpeting for their stairs because it is a cheaper option and tends to muffle any sounds as one moves from one floor to another, hardwood, stone, or laminate will last longer and make your home look and feel more expensive.  It will cost you more to install, but this is one part of your home that will see a lot of traffic and it’s best to choose something that will stand the test of time.  Another more modern option is to choose open metal stairs, this works well in a minimalist home design.

Are Ceiling Fans Energy Efficient?

Can having a ceiling fan cut down on electric bills?  Many ceiling fan companies say that they can, but let’s take a look at the facts and see what they show us.

 

 

AC is the largest consumer of energy in your house, it can represent up to or more than 25% of your home’s energy usage, and costs an average of $0.36 per hour.  A ceiling fan, costs about $0.01 per hour of usage and so if using the ceiling fan to cut down your AC usage works, it would save you quite a bit of money per year.

Ceiling Fans Can and Cannot

First of all, let’s examine what a ceiling fan cannot do: a fan will not cool your room, they will make your room feel cooler, but the temperature will remain the same.  This only works if you are actually in the room, if you have a ceiling fan on in another room that you aren’t actually using, this will only cost you electricity and has no cooling benefits.

That said, if you are in a room, the US Department of Energy states that combining a ceiling fan with AC results in being about to raise the temperature 4 degrees without your comfort level changing.

Fans will work best when:

  • They are larger fans, because they can move air more effectively.
  • They have a great Energy Star rating, the box that the fan comes in will typically have this rating posted on it.
  • They are installed on an eight foot or taller ceiling and are about 1 foot away from the ceiling.
  • Your windows have curtains and blinds to cover them to allow less sun in during the summer months.  During the winter, you can open the window coverings during the day to allow the warmth in and shut them at night to keep out the cold.

To wrap up, here are a few tips for cutting energy usage with the help of ceiling fans:

  • Raise your AC thermostat by 4 degrees
  • When you’re home, keep your fans on but only in rooms that you are currently using.  Switch the fan off when you leave the room (if this is difficult for you, then you might consider home automation solutions)
  • For winter, use the switch typically located on the side of the fan motor to reverse the ceiling fan rotation.  This will move cooler air up and push warmer air down.

Is Home Automation for Me?

We’ve spent quite some time talking about windows these past few weeks, we’re going to head in a completely different direction now and dive into modern houses: the smart home.  Home automation is a system that allows homeowners to directly connect and control their home through their tablet, smartphone, and control panel installed in their home.  The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University has predicted that the number two trend for residential remodeling in the next 5-10 years will be home automation.  This will include but is not limited to heating and air conditioning, lighting, and security.

 

 

Affordability is a concern of many homeowners, but if you look at the trends from five years ago, home automation was only for million-dollar homes, now less expensive homes are also tapping into home automation because it is becoming more practical and affordable.

Why Should I Choose Home Automation?

A smart home can take over many of the functions of your other smart and dumb devices: it can wake you up in the morning, turn on the TV with your morning viewing choices, turn electronics off and security systems on when you leave the house.  When you return home, the security will deactivate itself and lights and AC or heating will turn to their normal temperatures.  It’s convenient for everyone, saving on your personal energy, utility bills, and protecting your home.  When you go out of town, you can monitor your home from your computer, smartphone, or tablet.  This can be had for under $10,000 and work with over 6,000 different electronic devices.

Can I DIY Home Automation?

DIY smart home options exist with companies such as Nest who make smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, thermostat climate controls that are based on your personal schedule and can save 15-25% on your utility bills.  These products are easy to install and cost under $260.

What is the Cost of Home Automation?

A smart home system can cost anywhere from $200 to $200,000, it all depends on your desires and needs.  Some people simply want smart lights and thermostat climate control, others want all of the shades in their home to be automated as well as lighting scenes and surveillance cameras.  The installation of a smart home system doesn’t have to be for your entire house, you can install it one room at a time and add on rooms as your budget allows.  It is also not an intensive installation which means that a lot of digging into your walls and foundation is not required, no matter the age of your home.

What to Look For When Choosing a Window: Part II

Today’s post is part two of last week’s post about how to choose a window for your home; whether as a replacement window or as a window for your new custom home, window choices are vital when ensuring that your AC and heat don’t escape.

Frame

Aluminum and wooden frames are often the two most talked about frames when it comes to windows, but in actuality, there are many more choices that are not as widely known.

  • Vinyl frames are less expensive than wood or aluminum but that doesn’t make it a bad choice.  When a vinyl frame window is made well and installed correctly, it is a viable contender with other frame materials.
  • Wood-clad windows are a window frame that is typically vinyl or aluminum exterior and wooden interior, this comes with the benefits of a low-maintenance exterior and temperature transfer resistant interior.  Unfortunately, they are also somewhat prone to water leaks which can lead to water pooling and eventually sills and jambs rotting. When these are properly installed with a sill pan, it will drain any pooling water away and minimize any wood deterioration.
  • Composite frames are usually made from recycled plastic resins and wood shavings, these can be made to look like wood but are practically maintenance free.  Fiberglass is also a type of composite frame made of polyester resin and glass fibers; this type of composite frame is more expensive than the first type discussed but they are extremely energy efficient and an excellent choice for durability and strength.
  • Wood frames are the best when it comes to insulation, but the upkeep required is much more than any other type of frame.  They also don’t work well for wet or humid climates.
  • Aluminum frames are practical choices, especially for wet and humid climates.  They do not perform well with heat loss and transfer but their superior strength means that they are often used in hurricane-prone regions.

Installation

It doesn’t matter how much you pay for your window if it is not installed properly.  Incorrect installation means that your window is not able to perform its job as an effective barrier for heat, cold, air, water, etc.  Pre-installing and waterproofing should be completed before your windows are actually installed, this will start your window installation off on the right foot.

Keep an eye out for sealants and expanding foams being used to seal your window in place, they aren’t waterproof and can lead to air leakage or worse over time.  Flashing and caulking are both areas which are often ignored or quickly done, these should be done carefully as they are a final barrier to air and water leakage.

What to Look For When Choosing a Window

Last week we touched on four factors to know about when choosing new windows for your home – either as replacements or for your custom home.  These four factors are: Glass, Design, Frame, and Installation.  Let’s take a closer look at what to know about these four essential parts of a window.

Glass

When it comes to window glass, there are a lot of buzzwords that get tossed around, what is really necessary for a good window that is going to last and be worth the money that you put into it without breaking the bank?  Double-pane windows with a vacuum-sealed argon fill and low-E glass.  It will probably cost you an additional $30-50 per window but you will see a difference reflected in your energy bill.  We have talked in depth about the differences in single, double, and triple pane glass in previous posts.

When looking at windows, you can usually find a sticker directly on the glass that will tell you exactly what the window’s efficiency features are.  If the window has an Energy Star sticker on it then it means that it has met the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)’s standards.  These standards are measured in two ways: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) – measuring the amount of heat entering a house through the glass, and U-Value – measuring a window’s ability to resist heat loss.  For each of these factors, the lower the number, the better energy rating it will receive.

South Texas home owners often choose UV-repellent film as a tint for their windows, it’s practically invisible but it will preserve textiles and paint as well as keeping the interior of a house cooler and save money on utility bills.

Design

The design of a window can have huge effects when it comes to energy efficiency, but that doesn’t mean that you have to settle for something utilitarian or boring.  In the past, custom home builders focused on aesthetics rather than function, but now the modern approach is functionality and beauty in one.  A window can be both décor and an inlet for fresh air, this is especially applicable for transoms (the window above a door or another window).

Decorative windows that are also functional require a deeper casing which can contribute a lot to the aesthetics of your house as “active” transoms.  If you’re looking for further benefits to be reflected in your utility bill, don’t choose a semi-circle or half-moon window as these are not as energy efficient.

Come back next week as we explore the last two of our four important window factors: Frame and Installation.

Should I Replace My Home’s Windows: Part II

A few weeks ago, we discussed questions to ask when you are considering replacing your home’s windows.  We’ll continue that discussion in today’s post; these situations and questions may help you figure out if your house’s windows should be replaced even if you have a historical home where you would normally want to preserve the original windows.

Here are a few situations to consider:

Windows in poor condition.  When your house’s windows are not in good condition: cracked window panes, rotting sashes, sills, or frames, pests coming into your house, inability to open or shut the windows, leaking water, humidity problems in your home are all indicators that you should replace your windows completely.

Windows with safety problems.  If your windows are loose, don’t open or shut, or are weak because they haven’t been maintained properly or are damaged, should be replaced.

Windows with single-pane glass.  If your house’s windows have single-pane glass or temperature conductive sashes or frames, it is typically wise to replace them as much of your heating and cooling will be escaping through these exits.  These windows are usually poorly installed, and or cheap windows that were not well made.

Things to keep in mind when choosing a window:

There are generally four factors to consider when choosing a new window.  These factors are: glass, design, frame, and installation.  We’re going to discuss these factors in more depth in our post next week but here’s a brief overview.

Glass

Double-pane windows with a vacuum-sealed argon fill and low-E glass are probably among the best window options for your money.

Design

This area is fairly subjective to what the home owners want, but keep in mind that half-moon shapes, or semi-circles will decrease the energy efficiency of that window.

Frame

At first glance, wood may seem the best choice: it doesn’t transfer heat or cold as readily as an aluminum frame but these aren’t your only material choices.

Installation

It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a window if it’s not installed correctly.  Keep an eye out for sealants and expanding foams being used to seal your window in place, they aren’t waterproof and can lead to air leakage or worse over time.

See you next week when we delve deeper into these four factors!

Replacement vs Storm Windows

Last week, we discussed some of the differences between replacement windows and storm windows and how to make the choice between them.  Today, we’ll continue to talk about replacement windows and storm windows and help you better decide what is the right decision for your home.

Pros of Replacement Windows

  1. This is a permanent solution to your window problems because with a quality choice comes the assurance that you won’t have to replace your windows in the coming years just because of their age.
  2. Better climate control, energy efficiency, and insulation.
  3. Better and more design choices.
  4. Increases the value of your home
  5. Outside noise reduction.
  6. Allows for more light.

Cons of Replacement Windows

  1. May cause your home’s value to decrease if you have an older or historic home.
  2. May change the look of your home.
  3. Must be installed by an expert and takes more time for installation.
  4. More expensive than storm windows.

Pros of Storm Windows

  1. Allows for the aesthetic of an older or historic property to remain the same.
  2. Less expensive than replacement windows.
  3. Reduces airflow which leads to better insulation.
  4. Since the installation process is simple they can be installed by yourself or a professional.
  5. Protects the primary window from outside damage and helps to reduce outside noise.

Cons of Storm Windows

  1. May be less attractive.
  2. Should be replaced every 2-4 years.
  3. Moisture can become trapped on interior window.
  4. Less light will be able to come through the windows.
  5. Maintenance once every 12 months is required or oxidation and pitting may occur.
  6. Cleaning and maintenance may require removal of the storm windows.
  7. Regular lubrication and cleaning of tracks is required.
  8. Not as energy efficient as replacement windows.

For those on a budget, storm windows are the easiest and cheapest option, this will effectively solve your air leakage and UV ray problems.  That said, if you are not on a tight budget, the best way for energy efficiency improvement is to replace all of your home’s windows with energy efficient windows.  The newer technology is of course the best for your home, but for those that don’t have that option (whether due to budget constraints or historical properties) storm windows are a good alternative.

Should I Replace My Home’s Windows?

Over the past few weeks, we’ve covered various parts of understanding how to choose windows for your custom home.  Minimizing the cost of cooling and heating is a huge part of the decision for energy-conscious home owners.  For existing older homes, home owners are usually faced with the decision of keeping and repairing the current windows in your home or replacing them with new windows.

 

Initial Steps

One of the first steps in deciding whether or not to replace your windows is to do the math to figure out the cost-effectiveness of new windows.  This process is not difficult, you can run a home energy audit.  This can be a DIY project or you can hire a professional to assist you.  Either way, this will identify where the major energy-loss areas are located. This audit will help determine if you need to replace all of your windows or simply reapply the weatherstrips or replace some caulk.

Storm Windows

Historical or older homes, where the original windows must or should be kept as an essential part of the character of your home, may just need the addition of a storm window that will protect the original window and elevate the energy performance to that of a modern window.  A storm window is window is that is typically installed on the exterior of the primary house windows (they are also sometimes installed on the interior), they are installed for weather protection of the original window, and normalizing interior temperatures.  They can be custom made to your particular window needs

Replacement Windows

If you believe that your house’s windows should be completely replaced instead of renovated (it’s a good idea to get a second or third opinion about this), you can still keep with the character of the house and win with substantial energy savings while you’re at it.  Another advantage of replacing older windows with new windows is the improvement of durability as well as having a warranty.

Questions to Consider:

  1. Is this a DIY project? Storm windows are relatively simple to install, replacement windows are trickier and you should gauge your skill level carefully.
  2. How old are your windows? Windows that are 30 years old should generally be replaced UNLESS they add historical value to your home.  Keeping the esthetics of a historical home is very important.
  3. What is your budget? Replacing windows can be very costly while adding storm windows is relatively inexpensive.