We are energy conscious in our all our design and construction management. Described below is conventional construction and how we can design to make it more energy efficient, and Structural Insulated Panel and Remote wall systems allowing more energy savings. If you wish to spend more in construction to save heating and cooling costs each year, we can help you do that. Most often the HVAC contractor does heat loss calculations as he sizes the heating and cooling systems, but if needed, we can do Reschek residential energy calculations to make sure your home will pass residential code. In commercial construction to get the building state approved Comchek commercial energy calculations are required.
Bestimate LLC actual Energy Efficient building design experience includes:
* Comchek – Commercial energy calculations for state approval
* Reschek – Residential energy calculations for building permits
* Insulated Concrete Forms (Click to open full-size pdf.) (Click links on right for more information.)
* Conventional Energy Efficient Design – Bestimate LLC plans every home to be energy efficient with minimum 2×6 studs, R19 batt insulation, and 4 mil poly vapor barrier walls and 12″ energy heel trusses allowing minimum R44 blown attic insulation up to R50 w/ 4 mil poly vapor barrier, which will be economical and energy efficient construction. When a 2×6 stud is R5.5 is used in a wall @ 16″ oc with R19 fiberglass batt insulation between the studs, the wall system averages about R11. Adding 1/2″ to 1″ foil and/or paper faced isocyanurate rigid insulation R4-8 to the outside of the exterior wall, we have an additional continuous barrier over the total wall, adding resistance to heat or cooling loss, and more windproof construction. Quality, size, and style of windows and doors, and basement wall insulation are also addressed.
* Residential Exterior Membrane Outside Insulation Technique REMOTE_Manual.pdf
REMOTE creates a super-insulated wall that effectively eliminates thermal bridging and air movement by locating an air and/or vapor retarder (“exterior membrane”) on the exterior of the house, over the sheathing. The bulk of the wall insulation is provided by rigid foam boards, which are attached to the outside of the structure, moving the dew point from the stud bays to the exterior side of the sheathing, thus preventing framing members from cooling to the point that condensation can occur. Less expensive 2×4 construction is used because the stud bays no longer need to hold large amounts of insulation and the system protects structural members in the exterior walls, which are a traditional freezing danger zone and are now available to run plumbing and mechanical systems safely. In one cost comparison for the exterior walls of a 32′ x 56′ one-story home, conventional 2×6 wall construction material was $1944 and REMOTE wall construction material was $2534, $590 divided by 176 LF = $3.35 foot. In the total cost of a $100,000 home, $590 is a minimal add when you know that your insulation and vapor barrier is seamless over the studs, rather than conventional 2×6 construction with batt insulation between the studs, leaving very little where the studs are. Heating costs are saved over the life of the home.
* Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS)