Green Building Made Simple!
With so much buzz around green building, the process can seem overwhelming. Which products truly perform? What claims are just marketing fluff? Where do you even start? We understand these are likely just some of the questions on your mind.
At Carroll Construction, we take the guesswork out of green building.
We've studied and implemented green practices for years so you don't have to. Our proven methods deliver real efficiency without breaking the bank.
Did you know we built the first Silver Level Certified home according to the National Green Building Standard in East Baton Rouge Parish and one of the earliest in Louisiana? We don't just talk about green building - we pioneered it here. Here's how we construct high-performance homes.
Were you raised in a barn? Close the door!
It turns out that our mothers had the right idea for energy efficiency. One of the most cost-effective ways to reduce heating and cooling costs is controlling conditioned air loss through drafts. These can occur around windows, doors, attic hatches, and baseboards. Our homes minimize leaks with comprehensive air-sealing using gaskets, spray foam, and caulk to help you keep that conditioned air inside.
And as my friend Bobby Parks, owner of Healthy Homes of Louisiana, a consulting company in Monroe, LA, always says: “If ya ain’t testing, you’re guessing!” We don’t settle for a simple visual inspection. Every single home is tested and verified to ensure proper air tightness. We don’t stop there either! We pressure test every duct and seal up leaks with mastic or ASHRAE approved mastic tape.
Which brings us to our next point:
Not All HVAC Systems Are Created Equal
You really do get what you pay for with heating and cooling equipment. System efficiency ratings are key to low energy bills. Investing in higher SEER/HSPF rated units pays off quickly. ENERGY STAR estimates this can save over $300 yearly in Louisiana's heat!
In addition to this, we only install hard duct insulated systems standard unless installing in spaces between floors in two story homes. This allows us to achieve the lowest friction for the air delivery systems and seal the systems tighter than ever.
Further, we install a 5” pleated air filter and filter box on every unit standard to ensure your coils stay clean and maintain maximum efficiency. So many units lose efficiency because of dirty coils and the repair for that can be quite expensive. At Carroll Construction, we like to plan for efficiency in advance.
Another way we help you with efficiency is to install programmable thermostats standard. You can set cooling/heating schedules automatically adjusting when away to minimize runtimes, then restoring comfort before you arrive home. If you really want to step up your planning, you can upgrade to a Wi-Fi unit and incorporate smart home software to make sure the home sets itself to maximize savings when you leave the home!
Radiant Barriers are like a sunshade for your home
One of the most cost effective energy savings we have ever found are radiant barriers. These, along with insulated stairs are features that are paid for once and save you money for the life of your home. In fact, according to the US Department of Energy, some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% in our hot Louisiana climate.
Carroll Construction installs radiant barriers as a standard feature of every home we build. We also ensure a properly ventilated attic. This is extremely important when you consider that your heating and air equipment are typically housed in the attic of your home. By reducing the heat load on the attic space, we can help your HVAC equipment operate more efficiently and reduce the heat burden on your insulated and conditioned living space.
Lastly, we want to point out that not only will we ensure the proper sizing of your HVAC units for your home with a ACCA load calculation for you home, we specifically inspect every unit to ensure that the model numbers listed on your units match the units that were called for and quoted during the planning phase.
As you can see, while some of the above items can be complicated, Carroll Construction will handle the complications for you as a standard part of our every day constructed homes. We are experts so that you don’t have to be, and we demonstrate that on every single home by reaching for the best.
What's New Moving Forward?
Energy Star 3.2. As the conversation around energy efficiency has grown more complex, Carroll Construction believes the time has come to take the lead. Beginning in 2025, all homes built in the Energy Star Southern Zones will be receive a 3rd party inspection and an Energy Star Certification.
What does this mean to the everyday homeowner? Ultimately, this means your Carroll Construction home will be designed with lower energy consumption as a key goal.
A few noticeable items that will be introduced:
- Balanced return air grills for each bedroom - This will allow the air to be distributed more efficiently in your home. Reduced resistance on return air translates into lower energy consumption and more comfort.
- Whole home fresh air duct - This feature will help avoid drawing dust and toxins into the home by preventing negative pressure in the home. It also allows us to use new methods to seal our homes even tighter.
- Gasketed Drywall - by introducing a drywall gasket foam, less air will be drawn into the home from non-conditioned spaces to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioner.
There are many other enhanced features associated with the energy star rating. If you are interested in finding out how we can build you an energy star rated home, be sure to reach out and we can set up a call to discuss the process!
Article by Robert Carroll
Robert is a NAHB Certified Graduate Builder with Carroll Construction. Robert joined the team in 2007 after graduating from L.S.U. with a degree in Construction Management. Now as Chief Operating Officer, Robert Carroll is extremely active in the local builder community, a leader in the LHBA, and is an avid supporter of charity and community causes inside the Greater Baton Rouge area.
