Super Energy Efficient Building Renovation

The following pictures are of a house with 1150 square feet built in 1966 renovated to an energy efficient building design of 3800square feet in 1982. This design is incorporated in all new work.

It incorporated the following:

• Insulation on foundation walls and concrete slab
• Sealing every possible joint at sill area
• Cooling tubes for pre-cooling in summer
• Double wall construction 12-16 inch (not envelope design)
• Continuous vapor barrier installed from foundation to attic
• Openings in the vapor barrier sealed (electrical boxes, plumbing etc)
• Energy efficient windows
• Air barrier installed around entire house
• Raised heel on roof truss design to allow 24” of attic insulation
• Proper roof ventilation - baffles, soffit vents gable vents
• 12 to 24 inches of insulation throughout house
• All bathroom vents directed down into basement and outside

There are other items that make this design unique. This design uses an air-to-air heat exchanger on a timer circuit. This unit draws fresh outside air into the exchanger preheating it from the exchange of stale inside air exhausting to atmosphere. All this effort adds up to saving thousands of dollars in wasted energy costs and a warmer, fresh, healthy and comfortable living environment.