High-Performance Structures Can Save Significantly

Anyone who has lived in an older home may have had the unpleasant experience of trying to heat or cool a building that was constructed without insulation or with insulation that has long since passed its useful age. Concerns about the cost and environmental impact of heating or cooling buildings have led to the universal implementation of insulated walls and attics which we accept as a common practice today. Did you know, though, that you can save even more money and further reduce your property’s energy usage by making it a high-performance structure?

Walls

High-Performance Structures Can Save SignificantlyHigh-performance walls are designated when an extra layer of rigid foam insulation is used on the outside face of the wall. This rigid foam insulation is in addition to the traditional insulation in the wall cavity. High-performance walls have an insulation value far higher than traditional walls, but also offer other benefits like greater resistance to air leakage. This enhanced approach to wall insulation results in a more comfortable structure that requires less energy for heating or cooling.

Attics and Roofing

Like walls, high-performance attics use a layer of rigid foam insulation on the outside face of the roof deck. As with high-performance walls, this rigid foam insulation is installed in addition to insulation in the ceiling. A vented, high-performance attic will remain cooler during warm weather, resulting in a building that can be cooled more efficiently and with less energy consumption.

California Codes

The California Residential Building Energy Efficiency Standards for 2016 require high-performance walls and attics in some Climate Zones for new and modified homes, but all homeowners can embrace these standards. High-performance walls and attics have the potential to save homeowners thousands of dollars in heating and cooling costs while increasing the value of the home, as well.

At Rick’s Energy Solutions, we can help you assess the efficiency of your home and determine the benefits of making your home a high-performance home. Through a home energy audit, we can show you solutions for improving your overall footprint and reducing your energy consumption. We serve homeowners, home designers and architects throughout Northern California and as one of the top green energy consulting firms in the country, we can help determine solutions that will work best for you. Give us a call at 707-578-5380 today to learn more or to get started.