Ask Focus on Energy

There are many things you can do and Focus can help.

Tell your builder you want a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home! These homes are designed, built, tested and certified to ensure energy efficiency, combustion safety, durability and comfort. In fact a home built to the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home standard is as much as 25% more energy efficient than a new home built to code. This program also offers the option to make the home renewable ready to take future advantage of renewable energy (photovoltaic or solar hot water). In addition to the energy (and money) savings, other benefits include an enhanced ability to control moisture and indoor air quality, minimized drafts, properly installed insulation, sealed combustion (or power-vented) equipment, carbon monoxide detectors, and certification of the home’s efficiency based on performance testing upon completion of construction. A key piece to the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes program are the consultants who are trained to work with your builder. The consultant is a third-party partner who certifies the home once it’s completed and will provide you with information on how to maintain your Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home. The final result is a safe, durable, comfortable, and energy efficient home.

If you decide not to participate in the Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes Program, here is some information that will be helpful.

1. Consider how you can orient your home to take advantage of the sun’s heat and light. Keep in mind that natural surroundings such as hills and trees can provide shelter from winter winds.
2. Windows can play a big role in overall energy costs depending on how much glass you desire. As a good rule for utilizing passive solar energy, design your home so that about 50% - 60% of the total window area faces due south. Reduce the area of non-south-facing window to the minimum required by building codes and install ENERGY STAR qualified windows throughout.
3. Place emphasis on building an airtight envelope. A tight home is more efficient, comfortable, and easier to maintain enhanced indoor air quality by using effective and quiet mechanical ventilation.
4. Install all insulation correctly. If you plan to use the basement as a living area, give careful thought to installing 1” – 2” of extruded polystyrene directly under the concrete basement floor. If the basement floor will be carpeted, the insulation will keep the concrete floor warmer, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of condensation and mold problems. Consider “beefing up” insulation on the foundation walls (i.e. use 2” – 3” of extruded polystyrene or its equivalent). Have the rim joist (a/k/a sill box) air sealed and insulated. Insulate attic floors to a minimum of R-49 or higher. Build with raised heel trusses to allow for greater levels of insulation on the exterior wall top plate. This helps to reduce the potential of ice damming. Proper attic venting must also be addressed.
5. In addition, make sure that you are installing the most efficient products and equipment in your new home. Buying only ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and lighting, installing a high efficiency hot water heater and furnace with an electronically commutated motor (ECM) and ensuring your central air conditioner is at least a SEER 15, will all go a long way in making your new home as energy efficient as possible.
6. Complement your heating/AC units with a programmable thermostat.
7. Consider learning more about Green Built Homes, a green building initiative that reviews and certifies new homes and remodeling projects that meet sustainable building and energy standards.