It's Easy Being Green: Construction Techniques for Creating an Energy Efficient Home

When you think about energy efficiency in your home, you think about using LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs, and turning off the lights when you leave a room. But there is so much more to energy efficiency than simple everyday tasks. It starts during construction and is carried out through the life of the home. 

At Dostie Homes, energy-efficient construction techniques are used on every home we build. We take pride in using construction materials that will not only last for generations but also reduce your carbon footprint and your electric bill. 

Science and Art - Insulation for Energy Efficiency

The first step in creating an energy-efficient home is insulation. According to Energy.gov, “insulation in your home provides resistance to heat flow and lowers your heating and cooling costs. Properly insulating your home not only reduces heating and cooling costs but also improves comfort.” 

When building a home in Florida, you must protect the home’s interior and the people inside from the warm and humid climate. 

Dostie Homes uses 2x6 wall construction vs. the standard 2x4 which provides a higher R-value insulation, which means the insulation is more effective. This provides a better thermal blanket of protection against Florida’s harsh weather. 

We also use R38 ceiling insulation vs R30 which creates a stronger thermal blanket around the entire home, adding more protection than is required by code. 

Another energy-efficient feature built into each Dostie home is radiant barrier roof decking. This material is installed on the roof during the construction process and uses a thermal foil backing that reflects the UV rays from the sun which will bring down attic temperatures. This is especially important during Florida’s harsh summers as a cooler attic means less stress on AC systems and a longer roof life. 

Low Emissive Glass Lowers Your Utility Bill

Low E or low emissive glass is designed to reflect long-wave infrared energy with a thin and transparent metal coating. The coated glass prevents heat from entering or escaping a home. 

In each of our homes, we install glass with appropriate Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-factors to reduce the overall thermal bypass of our windows and doors. 

Why Low-E?

Using low E glass in residential windows and doors will reduce the energy use in the home by 30 to 50%. Lower energy consumption means lower utility costs. Over the course of many years, using low e windows can save hundreds of dollars on an electricity bill.

 Technology in low E glass has come a long way. It does not affect the amount of natural light entering the home, it only blocks the harmful UV rays and keeps unwanted heat outside. 

For luxury, new-construction homes, low E glass will help block the sunlight reducing the heat and bleaching effect UV rays can have on interior finishes.

 Reduce Electricity Consumption

Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs have revolutionized the way consumers receive light in their homes. Consumer Reports states, “Electricity passes through semiconductor material, sparking up light-emitting diodes, while a heat sink absorbs and releases the small amount of heat produced. Unlike with incandescent bulbs, most of the energy used by an LED creates light. (Ninety percent of the energy used by incandescent bulbs escapes as heat.)” 

From recess lighting to vanity lighting in the bathroom, using LED light bulbs throughout the home will reduce the amount of heat released creating a cooler room temperature, causing less strain on your air conditioning unit. 

LED light fixtures also require less electricity and reduce overall energy consumption, reducing utility costs and electricity bills. 

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Saving Water

Low-flow fixtures can offer homeowners eco-friendly benefits and significant savings on their water bills. Dostie Homes utilizes low-flow plumbing fixtures in every bathroom of the home. These fixtures promote water conservation use by restricting the amount of water coming through a particular valve. 

Low-flow toilets use 50% less water than standard toilets. Low-flow showerheads and faucets restrict the flow so less water is released during use. 

Dostie communities also used reclaimed water for irrigation which conserves potable water for its intended use. 

We also utilize native plantings in our home landscaping. The native plants provide natural vegetation that helps replenish the landscape with trees and shrubs that were lost or removed during development. Native species also require less overall maintenance and water. 

Tankless Water Heaters

Traditional water heaters keep water heated at all times, essentially wasting energy, and creating higher utility bills for homeowners. 

Dostie Homes installs Rinnai tankless gas water heaters in each of their homes in an effort to save homeowners money and reduce their carbon footprint. Tankless water heaters only heat water that is being used, resulting in less wasted energy and no worries about running out of hot water.