Home Energy Cost

It is clear that home energy cost is increasing as the gasoline price is increasing. What can a homeowner do to cope and survive the energy crises? In our area, the Phoenix Valley, cooling energy is a major expense that all of us like and should reduce. It is easy to incorporate energy saving features in the design of a new home construction. The challenge is what to do and at what cost in an existing home. Here is a short list of an energy saving measures that the homeowner should consider.

1. Add / upgrade the ceiling or roof insulation.

2. Replace single pane glass window with a double insulated and low E windows.

3. Check air ducts and seal any air leakage. Also insulate the air ducts4. Install proper shade or sun screens to all windows that are exposed to sunshine

5. Plan trees along the Sunny side of the house that will provide shade not only to the windows but as importantly to the exterior house wall

6. Consult with "green construction" expert for additional cost saving options.

Note; The picture here is of a certified green building by the City of Scottsdale

Building Green and Energy Efficient Sunroom Additions

Regardless of your belief level on "Global warming" or "Climate Change" you always should consider to incorporate few "Green Construction" techniques and materials in any construction project at your home or business. Note that I recommend few and not everything that is available in the marketplace. Why do I recommend few and not everything? because what ever you select should pass the "does it make sense?" and what is the "return on investment" tests.

Window and door glass insulation should always be at the minimum of double insulated glass wit a low E coating. Most of the window manufacturers provides several options for total insulation value. Check with your contractor or with the manufacturer for available options.

Remember that energy gain or loss passes through materials with the least resistance. Therefor, in a room addition or in sun room addition with a large glass area it will make more sense to invest in a good insulated glass. Do not go overboard in wall and ceiling insulation because their level of resistance is much higher than any glass resistance. In this example, the good insulated glass will give you a better "return on investment" than the wall insulation. Our common sense tests should be applied to any type of construction project. Such as, room addition, sun room addition, patio enclosure and most of the home remodeling projects. Feel free to contact AZ Enclosures and Sun rooms, a division of S and S builders, regarding "green building and "green construction"