Shaddock Homes Blog

When building a new home, it is important to consider roof physics. Fortunately, this is not as complicated as it sounds, and by taking the time to educate yourself, you will be able to find roof solutions that will not only make your home more energy efficient, but may actually fight climate change. Here, Dallas home builder, Shaddock Homes, explains the roof physics involved in finding energy efficient roofing systems that might make life a little better for all of us. 

Using simple physics, roof researchers in Canada have recently used a global climate model to examine the impact of energy efficient roof systems on global temperatures. They discovered that by replacing roofing and pavement with reflective materials, it might be possible to lower global temperatures by .07° Celsius, which equates to a carbon-dioxide emissions reduction of one hundred fifty billion tones. Since people have used reflective surfaces for thousands of years, some of the benefits are already known, even without considering complicated roof physics.

Reflective roofing products, for example, can lower the heat of a roof by about one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. This reduces heat transfer to the inside of the building, reducing energy costs by up to twenty percent. Reducing air conditioning used saves money for occupants, but it also reduces carbon-dioxide emissions. The Canadian study theorizes that by using pavement and roof products that reflect radiation back into space can directly cool the Earth, combating global warming. This solution holds promise, because it has very little cost, and no known negative effects.

Another factor in an energy efficient roofing system is the ventilation. Traditional roofs use square vents on the sides of the roof, but modern builders are now using a different kind of roof vent, which ensures both intake and exhaust. In the summer, intake and exhaust draws in cool air and releases hot air, to provide circulation and keep things cool.  In the winter, the warm air inside the house is moist, and the exhaust vent helps prevent mold and other moisture issues. The best way to manage this is with a ridge vent, a vent at the peak of the roof, with a cap over it. A baffle at the edge of the ridge vent encourages airflow, by creating pressure buildup and drawing air out, using in roof physics the same principle used in designing airplanes- the Bernoulli Effect. These vents can be incorporated into the house roofing, creating an aesthetically pleasing roofline. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and a ridge vent may not be the best choice for you. For this reason, it is important to work with experts who understand the particular roofing product you are considering.

If you are building a new home, be sure to choose a builder who understands roof physics, as well as the other factors that contribute to an energy efficient home. In Dallas, consider Shaddock Homes, a builder with over forty years of experience, and a reputation for excellence in building customized, energy efficient, luxury homes. Visit the website for more information, or connect with the online community on Facebook and Twitter.

As many of us try to reduce our carbon footprints, we install energy efficient appliances and light bulbs, but often fail to consider energy efficient roofing. However, with forty billion dollars spent in the United States each year just to cover air-conditioning, energy efficient roofs can be the crowning glory of energy efficient homes. If you are looking to build a home in the DFW area, look for a Dallas home builder who is educated about energy star roofing, and has the experience to make your new home energy efficient.

Did you know that energy efficient roof products qualified for the Energy Star label in February of 1999? Energy Star qualified roofs lower the roof surface temperature, by reflecting the sun’s rays. This decreases the amount of heat transferred into the building, by reducing the surface temperature by up to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Because energy efficient roofing reduces heat transfer, the air conditioning system runs more efficiently, which can lower cooling costs by ten to fifteen percent.

While the benefits of reflective, energy efficient, metal roofing are well-documented, it is a good idea to check out the expected results of your particular choice of energy efficient roofing shingles before you commit to them. To this end, the Department of Energy offers an online “roof savings Calculator”, which can be found at www.roofcalc.com. Of course, the energy savings achieved by energy efficient roofing depends largely on the design and location of the building, the insulation used, the climactic conditions, and the efficiency of the building envelope solutions. Because of this, it is always wise to work with a reputable and experienced builder.

If you are considering building a home in Dallas, you owe it to yourself to check out Shaddock Homes. With over forty years of experience, and a reputation for excellent craftsmanship, Shaddock builds energy efficient homes using innovations like tankless water heaters, energy efficient roofing, PEX plumbing, and energy efficient windows. Visit the website to learn more, or connect with the online community on Facebook and Twitter.

When adding insulation to your home, one tool you will want to use is an R value calculator.  This calculator measures the ability of the insulation to resist heat and uses calculations based on the thickness of the insulation. The higher the R Value of insulation, the more insulated the area is.  Formerly, contractors used Whole Wall Thermal Performance calculators to determine the ability of the insulation to resist heat.  Shaddock Homes, your premier Dallas homebuilder offers these suggestions for R Value calculators found online.

Advanced Wall Systems R Value Calculator 

Advanced Wall Systems provides an interactive calculator download page with a simple version of a Whole Wall R value calculator.  Updated to allow calculations for fourteen rather than nine wall details, it is an improvement over previous versions.  Users with modems can click on a link specifically for slower connections, while DSL and cable users are able to use a link for faster connections.  In addition to the R Value calculator, this site offers several other insulation r-value and other calculators for homeowners.

Lowes

For those who do not need an advanced calculator, Lowes provides a simple R Value calculator that allows homeowners to enter the depth of the insulation to figure the r value calculation.  Lowes explains that different areas of a home, such as roof or floor, require different thicknesses depending on the climate where the home is, but this calculator will give you a simple insulation r values for comparison purposes.

Johns Mansville

The Johns Mansville website provides an R-value calculator that will tell you the recommended insulation r value for the area where your home is located.  Simply enter the first three digits of your zip code and the calculator will recommend an insulation r value for attics, cathedral ceilings, wall cavities, floors, basement and crawlspace walls.  The recommendations also include good, better and best options for choosing the correct insulation.

An R value calculator saves you money on energy costs as the higher the r value, the more energy savings you obtain from having the proper amount of insulation in your walls.  For more information on R values, contact Shaddock Homes.

A radiant barrier, normally installed in the attic of a home, lowers energy costs by reducing summer heat gain.  The temperature in attics can reach over 150 degrees and a radiant barrier, which is normally made of some type of reflective material, help to lower the heat caused as the sun raises the temperature of the roof and transferred into a home.  Shaddock Homes, your premier Dallas homebuilder, explains how a radiant barrier may help lower your energy costs.

How Does a Radiant Barrier Work

Because the sun’s radiant heat naturally warms the material covering the roof, and transferred to the cooler attic surface, a radiant barrier reduces the amount of heat that transfers to the attic by absorbing a significant amount of the heat.  More effective in hot climates than in cool, research indicates that a radiant barrier reduces energy costs as much as 10%.  This energy savings explains why many Dallas custom homebuilders are installing radiant barriers in both new homes and adding them to existing homes.

Installation

Radiant barriers depend on proper installation to work properly, which is why choosing a custom homebuilder in Dallas or a licensed installation contractor is critical to obtaining the best energy savings possible from the equipment.  Although it is easier to install a radiant barrier in a new home, adding them to an existing home is possible.  In some cases, custom homebuilders simply use foil-faced plywood or oriented strand board sheathing as a radiant barrier.

Types of Radiant Barriers

There are many different types of radiant barriers.  The most common is a foil-type barrier that droops, allowing for airspace between the barrier and the bottom of the roof.  Some builders’ use metal roof shingles with a reflective underside, but these types of materials are more expensive than traditional shingles or other radiant barrier methods.  Radiant barriers should not be installed on top of the attic floor as they are susceptible to dust and may trap moisture in fiber insulation.  Therefore, it is recommended that radiant barriers never be installed directly over fiber insulation.

Installing a radiant barrier is the best way to save energy costs by reducing summer heat gain through the roof.  For more information about radiant barriers, contact Shaddock Homes.

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Despite the fact that people would never purchase a vehicle without knowing the mileage per gallon, many homeowners are unaware what their home energy rating is and how it can help them save on energy costs.  Shaddock Homes, one of the best Dallas homebuilders, explains the importance of a home energy rating and the benefits it offers.

What is a Home Energy Rating?

A home energy rating system evaluates different components of your home to determine a score between zero and 250.  The score evaluates air leaks, HVAC systems, water heaters, ducts, pipes, insulation, windows, attached lighting and major appliances to determine how energy efficient the home is.

Rating System

A home with a home energy rating of zero means that the dwelling creates as much energy as it expends, while a rating of 100 means the home is operating according to current energy guidelines.  Any scores above 100 indicate that the home need energy upgrades.  A home energy rating report allows you to focus on the physical features of your home rather than worry about energy efficiency.

Importance of Home Energy Rating

Although most sellers will provide buyers with utility bills if requested, a utility bill gives a personal perspective of the energy use of a home.  Because each person uses energy differently, a utility bill may not give an accurate picture of the home’s energy usage.  Because energy bills are the second largest expense in a home, knowing the home energy rating allows you to make changes necessary to create a more energy efficient home.  For those who are selling a home, a favorable home with a high energy efficiency rating is more attractive to buyers.

A home energy rating offers homeowners information that can provide significant energy savings.  For more information on home energy ratings and how they can help you create a more energy efficient home, contact Shaddock Homes.

One energy conservation strategy, known as thermostat setbacks, advises programming a thermostat to drop eight or more degrees for at least eight hours per day.  The strategy suggests that dropping the thermostat that much while people are sleeping or at work would not affect the comfort of those in the home, but would save significantly on energy costs.  Although some experts believe that thermostat setbacks are no longer necessary, research indicates that the strategy does offer energy savings for homeowners.  Shaddock Homes, your premiere Dallas homebuilder, explains why lower thermostat settings during periods of the day are beneficial. 

Mathematical Statistics

Simple mathematics explains why thermostat setbacks save energy.  Because a home is not airtight, with areas where indoor air escapes to the outdoors, homes lose heated and cooled air constantly.  Therefore, by using general mathematical equations where a home loses approximately 12,000 BTU per hour in a normal day, researchers state that in an eight-hour period, a home loses 96,000 BTU per hour.  By setting the thermostat back eight degrees for that same eight-hour period, using similar equations, and the same home loses 79,200 btu per hour.  This is an 18% reduction in the amount of heat or air conditioning lost from the home, offering a significant energy savings.

Energy Studies

Because it is difficult to get accurate mathematical statistics regarding the power saving earned through thermostat setbacks, several researchers have investigated the energy savings using the strategy.  Michael Blasnick, an expert on residential energy, conducted several studies for a gas utility company and found that savings ranged from 5.0 to 8.2%.  Mr. Blasnick’s studies, along with many others conducted on the subject, have all have found that thermostat setbacks offer significant energy savings.

Other Considerations

There are other factors to consider before implementing a thermostat setback strategy, including the type of equipment used to heat and cool the home.  Because some HVAC methods have backup heating and cooling methods that may kick in if the temperature in your house changes dramatically, it may not be economical to make drastic temperature reductions.  In addition, room size, window and door locations and sizes, as well as furniture have an effect on the heating and cooling of your home.

The fact is that for the majority of people, thermostat setbacks do provide significant energy savings.  For more information on thermostat setbacks and home temperature control, contact Shaddock Homes.

Winter is slowly fading as spring flowers begin to sprout and the weather warms, but with the warm weather comes the threat of a spring storm.  Spring storms can develop quickly and cause significant damage.  Shaddock Homes, your premiere Dallas homebuilder, offers these tips for preparing for those spring storms. 

Prune Trees and Bushes

One of the best ways to prepare for a spring storm is properly prune branches on trees and bushes.  This allows air to move through the branches more freely, which reduces the potential for fallen branches or limbs that could damage roofs and windows.  Either check for branch damage that may have occurred over the winter months or contract with a professional tree expert to be sure the trees in your yard will not fall victim to a spring storm.

Roof Shingles

Replace any loose shingles before a spring storm arrives to prevent them from loosening further or tearing off during the storm.  Check all gutters and downspouts for debris to avoid standing water along the roofline as well.  Secure any antennas or satellite dishes as even pop-up type thunderstorms can have damaging winds and hail.

Landscaping

Check to be sure that all water runs away from your home, as some spring storms can contain significant amounts of rain.  If rain collects around the foundation of your home, consider having your yard graded to allow rain water to run away from the home to avoid water damage to your foundation during a spring storm.

Create a Storm Kit

A spring storm can cause a loss of power, so be sure to have a storm kit ready should power go out during the storm.  The kit should contain minor first aid items, a flashlight, hand-operated can opener, hand sanitizer, and a battery-powered radio or weather radio.  Since power can be out for extended periods during a spring storm, these small items may be critical until the power returns.

Because a spring storm can be unpredictable and often causes significant damage, it is important to prepare your home for the upcoming spring storm season.  For more information about protecting your home during spring storms, contact Shaddock Homes.

For the average person, terms like U value are confusing. You might have a vague idea that it has something to do with your home’s energy efficiency, but most people who are not in the home building industry do not know much more than that. That is why, when choosing a Dallas home builder, it is important for you to choose one who is not only knowledgeable about terminology, but also committed to building homes that are energy efficient and structurally sound. 

U Value, simple put, is a measure of how well a building material conducts heats. In other words, U Values indicate how well substances allow heat to pass through, so the lower the U Value, the better the insulating value of the substance. The inverse of a material’s U Value is known as the R Value.

The U Value is also known as the coefficient of heat transmission, and is expressed in units of W/m² °C or Btu/hr-sq ft °F. Ratings are typically between .2 and 1.2, and in the United States, these values are given for NFRC/ASHRAE winter conditions of 0°F outdoor temperature, 70°F indoor temperature, fifteen mile per hour wind, and no solar load.

U Values are often quoted for windows and doors, and can indicate part or all of the structure. For instance, the U Value can be expressed solely for the glass, or it might indicate the entire window, including the frame and spacer materials. Manufacturers often cover windows with a low emittance coating, in order to reduce heat loss. They can also assemble the windows in a way that improves thermal performance, by using two or more layers f panes or films, low conductance gas between the layers, and thermally improved edge spacers between the panes. Doors can be constructed of insulated metal or fiberglass, to prevent heat loss. These strategies improve the performance of heating and cooling systems.

When you are looking for a new home builder, you need to find one who is knowledgeable about the most up to date strategies for improving the energy efficiency of your new home. Shaddock Homes has the experience and knowledge that comes from over forty years of experience, creating luxury custom homes. Shaddock’s commitment to exterior and interior craftsmanship sets the company apart from other Dallas home builders, and ensures that your new home will meet your expectations. Visit the Shaddock website to learn more, or connect with the online community on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.