Energy-Efficient Home Design: Live Better, Use Less

The Building Envelope Comes First

Start with an envelope-first approach: continuous insulation, dedicated air barriers, and careful moisture management. Higher R-values matter, but continuity matters more. Ask your auditor about a blower door test to reveal leaks you cannot see.

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Orientation, Daylight, and Passive Gains

Place windows where the sun actually helps—warming in winter, shaded in summer. Pair south-facing glazing with proper overhangs and selective SHGC. Sketch your site’s sun path and share how you might tweak shading to balance light and heat.

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Airtightness and Balanced Ventilation

Target low leakage rates, ideally near Passive House levels of 0.6 ACH50, then add balanced ventilation for healthy air. HRVs and ERVs recover energy otherwise lost. Comment with your climate zone so we can recommend airtightness strategies that work.

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Insulation, Windows, and Thermal Bridge Busting

Insulation That Actually Performs

Cellulose, mineral wool, and high-quality foam used judiciously can deliver robust R-values when properly detailed. Focus on full-depth coverage, wind-washing protection, and smart vapor control. Tell us your wall assembly plan and we’ll suggest practical improvements.

Eliminating Thermal Bridges

Structural penetrations, rim joists, balconies, and slab edges can short-circuit insulation. Use continuous exterior insulation and thermal break hardware to stop those losses. Share a sketch of a tricky junction, and we’ll brainstorm bridge-busting details together.

High-Performance Windows and Doors

Choose low U-factors, right-sized SHGC, warm-edge spacers, and airtight installation with tapes and back dams. Triple-pane units shine in cold or noisy areas. Ask about your climate, and we’ll help align glazing specs to comfort and efficiency goals.

Renewables, Storage, and Electrical Readiness

Model loads first, then design an array to match long-term consumption. Shade analysis, inverter choices, and roof layout all matter. Ask your net-metering questions below, and we’ll clarify how policy influences your ideal system size.

Renewables, Storage, and Electrical Readiness

A modest battery can power critical loads—fridge, lighting, communications—during outages. Consider a dedicated critical-loads panel and utility programs like virtual power plants. Share your resilience goals, and we’ll sketch a sensible, scalable backup plan.

Healthy Air, Quiet Rooms, and Thermal Comfort

HRVs excel in dry, cold climates; ERVs help manage humidity in mixed or humid regions. Commission airflow, balance supply and exhaust, and maintain filters. Share your locale, and we’ll suggest a ventilation path that fits your conditions.

Favor bio-based insulation, responsibly sourced wood, and concrete mixes with supplementary cementitious materials. Durable assemblies reduce replacements, saving energy and emissions. Post your material shortlist, and we’ll flag greener alternatives without sacrificing performance.

Materials, Embodied Carbon, and Design Beauty

Low-VOC paints, lime-based plasters, and high-quality sealants protect indoor air while enduring daily life. Detail edges for easy maintenance. Tell us your favorite finish look, and we’ll suggest breathable options that complement efficient assemblies.

Materials, Embodied Carbon, and Design Beauty

A Real-World Story: The Bungalow That Breathed Easier

The Starting Point

Maya and Luis bought a drafty 1950s bungalow that howled on windy nights. Their blower door test hit 11 ACH50, and winter bills stung. They wanted calm rooms, clear air, and bills that stopped spiking whenever cold arrived.