Baby It’s Hot Outside – Cottonwood CA Energy Efficiency -Radiant Barrier

Radiant Barriers are generally foils preinstalled on roof sheathing or retrofitted in attics.

Radiant Barrier Benefits:

• Reported to be 17% more efficient than standard roof sheathings (17% monthly savings)
• 26 – 30 degrees cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter months
• Protects upto 97% of radiant heat in roof sheathing

Many Builders are incorporating these materials in new construction.

Here is a vendor’s video with some great information on how it works;

Buyers Seeking Builder’s Assistance With Energy Efficient Design Building Technology Please Contact:

Phone: 530-347-6122                                         Email: steve@chainenterprises.net

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Source: LP TechShield

The National Association Of Home Builders (NAHB) (Sept 16, 2009) builder’s survey reported that, ”57% of home buyers were unwilling to pay more than 2% for a ‘green’ featured home”.  As builders and Realtors we are experiencing  similar results. Therefore our approach is to incorporate those features that are the product of what we refer to as, “value engineering”.  What we mean is we search out and incorporate features that add marginal costs to our project, while providing added value to our clients.  We have been monitoring the value of renewable energy, in the residential market place, since the early 1980′s and have found things haven’t changed much.  There is a small portion of the market that will pay the price to buy into the truly ”Green” or “Eco-Friendly” home.   We believe Green can be smart, but it needs to make dollars and sense.

CAL Green Building – BIB Wall In- Chico Homes

If you are considering a new home or upgrading the energy efficiency of your existing one you might consider insulation. While there are numerous material types used today, fiberglass maybe one of the most popular products. Manufacturers have developed improved methods for installing the product not common even 4 years ago.

One advance in wall insulation is known as Blown-In-Blanket or BIB for short.  This method of insulation produces a level of thermal resistance or “R” value that is much higher than what a preformed “batt” insulation can provide. The BIB is referred to as a “zero defect” product. The finely cut material is excellent at finding and filling small voids found around the piping and wiring found in walls. This method of insulation is installed with specialized techniques. While the photo below captures proof of the “zero defect”, during new construction, retrofit installations have been proven to produce quality results as well. There is even a Blown-In-Blanket Contractor’s Association.

                   PHOTO: NEW CONSTRUCTION- BIB WITH FIBERMESH NET – 2×6 WALL R-22

In California PG&E is offering rebates that make BIB wall insulation very attractive when retrofitting.  If you are considering a new home, a designer/builder can ensure a home design that captures numerous rebates as well as well as the Tax Credits that are available.

                    PHOTO: CLOSE UP OF STAPLED SUPPORT MESH AND FULLY FILLED WALL CAVITY

Buyers and Home Sellers Seeking Chico Real Estate Transaction Assistance Please Contact:

Phone: 530-370-1818                                          Email: steve@chainenterprises.net

All Rights Reserved: Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

CAL Green Building – LED Lighting Evolves And Breaks Price Barrier – Chico Homes

One of my, “hobbies” is experimenting with emerging lighting solutions.There are a myriad of choices and lighting technologies today. How to you compare apples to apples or LED’s to CFL’s to incandescent bulbs?

Here are a few rules of thumb to consider when switching from one type of bulb to another:

• Warm white is typically found in home environments (less than 3300 color temp)

• Cool white is typically found in office environments (more than 5000 color temp)

• A work room at home would require approximately 2500 lumens and a standard 60 watt incandescent bulb produces about 800 lumens.

• Lighting levels are a matter of personal preference.

• As people age lighting levels needed tend to increase.

• Watts are the measurement of energy consumption, but lumens are used to compare light output. Candlepower can be used as well.

• Compact Florescent (CFL) technology is considered to have peaked in development.

• LED’s are the emerging technology, but are still more expensive as a whole. This is sure to change as market place volume increases.

More recently I came across an LED bulb that is a direct replacement for the standard incandescent bulb. It is available in both warm white and cool white. Priced at $6-9 this is quite a breakthrough. As you can see from the table below this one only produces 90 lumens, but only consumes 1.5 watts. By combining four in one of our ceiling fan lights, it produces the equivalent of a 40 watt incandescent, while consuming just 6 watts combined. So this bulb would best be considered for accent lighting.

The table below lists three types of bulbs with some average characteristics for comparison purposes. Only warm white bulbs are compared for this article.

California Chico Homes New Construction Note:

LED’s /E26 base bulbs have not been accepted as an alternative where florescent bulbs, with multi-pin bases, are required. While the LED bulb may actually require less energy, the California Codes have not caught up with this emerging technology todate. Presently code inspectors are concerned that the LED bulbs (or E26 based CFL’s) could be changed out for the less efficient incandescent after inspection.

Buyers and Sellers of Chico Homes Seeking Transaction Assistance Please Contact:

Phone: 530-370-1818 

Email: steve@chainenterprises.net

Redding Real Estate – CALGreen Building Code / Waste Reduced Construction – Cottonwood Homes For Sale

While many Californians have heard something about green methods directed towards buildings and energy conservation, it’s now official. On January 1, 2011, California will require the incorporation of green building standards, within the building code. The California Green Building Standards Code is known as CALGreen for short.

The new Code includes  enhanced requirements for reducing and recycling waste from residential construction projects.

The Redding area is well served for recycling qualifying wood waste and debri. Wheelabrator / Shasta Energy located in Anderson recycles wood waste at it’s bio-waste to energy facility.

This is the first-in-the-nation mandatory green building standards code. Once a building passes the inspection process, the property can then be labeled as CALGreen compliant.

Consumers Seeking Sensible, Cost-Effective CALGreen Energy Building Solutions

Please Contact:

Phone 530-347-6122               Email: steve@chainenterprises.NET

CAL Green Building – Energy Star Bath Fans – Chico CA Homes For Sale
 

Energy Star rated bath fans will be required, in all new construction, starting January 1, 2011.   The fans are rated for the parameters of energy efficacy, sound level, airflow performance and lighting, if equipped.

An unexpected bonus in the new requirement is the sound rating. This will eliminate the noisy fans of the past. The sound rating is referred to as a “sones”,  a subjective measurement of loudness. The most familiar 50 cfm fans were rated at 4.0 sones.  The new code will allow a maximum 2.0 sones for a similar sized fan.  Ultra low sone fans with 0.4 to 0.8 ratings are also available. A list of agency approved bath fans including their ratings is available.

Interested in Chico Construction – Please Contact:

Phone: 530-370-1818           Email: steve@chainenterprises.net

Source: CAL Green Building Code;  Energystar.gov

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed

CAL Green Building – Moisture Content In Building Materials – Chico CA Homes For Sale

Maximum moisture levels in building materials, must meet Cal Green Building Code standards, in all new construction, starting January 1, 2011. 

•  Wall and floor framing shall not be enclosed when the framing members exceed 19 percent moisture content.
• Moisture levels shall be verified with probe-type or contact-type moisture meter.
  
• Documentation must be provided to building department for approval to enclose wall and floor framing.
• Insulation must be dry (dried) and free of water damage prior to enclosure of inwall or floor cavities.
  
• Wet applied insulation products shall follow manufacturer’s drying recommendation prior to enclosure.

Chain Enterprises, a local custom home construction company, has already made moisture testing a part of their design/build “best management practices.”

Buyers and Sellers Seeking Transaction Assistance With Homes for Sale In Chico CA Please Contact:

Phone: 530-370-1818 Email:

info@chainenterprises.net

Source: CAL Green Building Code; Energystar.gov

Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed