Sacramento New Home Construction Builders approach energy efficiency
Sacramento New Home Construction Builders stay aware of the latest trends and innovations in sustainable construction. This includes the use of renewable energy sources, smart home technologies for efficient energy use, and non-toxic building materials to ensure healthy indoor air quality. It also involves selecting advanced building materials that are durable, cost-effective and reduce the impact on our environment. These include triple-pane windows, advanced insulation materials (like spray foam or cellulose), and low-carbon concrete.
The most common building type in California is the single-family house, and it accounts for more than half of all energy consumption in residential buildings. In addition to implementing energy efficiency measures, it is important for Sacramento New Home Construction Builders to be equipped with renewable energy systems that will provide some or all of the electricity needed for space heating, water heating and cooking. These options can be implemented in either mixed-fuel or all-electric homes.
In all-electric homes, electricity is generated onsite with solar PV and/or with behind-the-meter electric storage. In a mixed-fuel home, natural gas is used for space heating and/or water heating, while electricity is used for everything else. Both types of houses can be built to a zero net energy (NZEB) standard in California.
How do Sacramento New Home Construction Builders approach energy efficiency?
NZEB homes are designed and built to produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a year through on-site or offsite renewable energy generation. This energy is primarily used for space heating and water heating, but may be used to offset some miscellaneous end uses such as lighting, electronics and appliances, air conditioning and cooking.
In addition to being more environmentally responsible, NZEB homes can save homeowners money on utility bills over the long term. A recent study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that on-site renewables can save homeowners an average of $680 in energy costs per year compared to the cost of a conventional gas-fired home.
SMUD is encouraging the construction of all-electric new homes through its legacy Smart Homes rebate program, which offers incentives for energy efficiency improvements like insulation, duct sealing and high-efficiency windows. It is also offering a rebate package of up to $13,750 for gas-to-electric conversions in existing homes. The goal is to help SMUD meet its ambitious climate goals by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with homes by 90 percent from 1990 levels by 2050.
On an East Sacramento street lined with quaint bungalows, one house is becoming the neighborhood’s new kid on the block. The 82-year-old structure is getting a major makeover, and it will be the region’s first Passive House. The project is the brainchild of Bronwyn Barry, principal at San Francisco-based design firm Passive House BB, and Andrew Turner, CEO of GoodSpace High Performance Builders in Sacramento. The renovation is scheduled for completion in mid-2022. The home is designed to be as airtight and as comfortable as possible, with continuous insulation and a mechanical ventilation system that quietly supplies filtered fresh air while pulling out stale, pollen-laden indoor air.