Building Principles (Air, Water and Thermal Management)-- beyond conventional building

Thermal Boundary 

That means deciding what is inside and what is outside the conditioned space.  Your conditioned space is everything inside the insulated walls

Thermal Bridge

A thermal bridge is an area which has a higher heat or cold transfer than the surrounding materials resulting in an overall reduction efficiency control of the building.

​

Building Orientation

Orient the building to take greatest advantage of seasonal sun angles for both passive heating and cooling and for maximum solar energy production.

U-Factor

U-Factor measures the rate of heat transfer and tells you how well the window insulates. U-factor values generally range from 0.25 to 1.25 and are measured in Btu/h·ft²·°F. The lower the U-factor, the better the window insulates.

R-Values 

Generally applied towards walls, ceiling, and floors and U-values for windows and doors. In cold climates, typical R-values are R-30 to R-40 for walls, R-60 for ceilings and R-48 for floors. In warm climates typical R-values are R-19 for walls, R-38 for ceilings, and R-19 for floors.

BETTER HOMES
 
ERV: energy recovery ventilation delivers the purest new air circulating in your home, while lower your heating and cooling costs

Better insulation: 12 & 16 inch thick walls outstanding R-values:  Up to 37% of heat loss in a home is through an uninsulated basement. That’s one reason why, in every home we build, we super insulate both under slab and on the foundation walls; comfortable and usable year-round
Airtight homes: Zero draft homes mean air won't slip through the cracks, you're in control of your climate.
Structurally sound: double stud walls = a lifetime of stability and strength-- reducing shift transmission.
Window Performance: 3X-glazed windows increase climate control in your home (thermal losses and gains, solar radiation, thermal management)

Acoustic sealing and 15 mil vapor barriers eliminate radon penetration and moisture that arises from the earth.