How to build a house (SE)

S Ebels

Ran across this article whilst surfing energy efficient construction. It says the house is heated with a standard electric water heater but doesn't provide details as to KW input. From reading the article though, I'm guessing the heating btu/sq ft is less than 5 at design. I bet a LOT of folks that have built new homes in the last 5-10 years ar wishing that they had skipped a few bells and whistles and invested more in the building envelope as this article details. Please notice that the heating method chosen is radiant floor. Go figure!

http://www.sustainablehomemag.com/CDA/Articles/Cover_Story/eaf156f57fa97010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____

jerry scharf_3

shear capacity of those walls

I'm not a structural engineer, but I wouldn't think that there is that much shear strength in the walls as described. It certainly doesn't sound like it would fly in earthquake country.

jerry

Adam_12

I just put in a new foundation last year .Instead of going with standard concrete forms we used styro blocks . For the floor we used 2 inchs of styrofoam and infloor heating .You could heat the basement with a candle it is just that easy to heat.The contractor who did our foundation builds new houses using these styroblocks.You get 3 inches of styro ,6 "of concrete,3'of styro.The walls are a true R35 and you dont have to frame your exterior walls .The blocks have webs in them to screw drywall to . A house built using these methods would not only be very energy efficient but also be very resistent to tornadoes and siesmic events.

Weezbo

I have seen some innovative techniques....

That i like in concept. Somewhere along the line in this area with "beacoup below" being as apt an expression as any...one thing not to be derogatory another guy was into losing the plates and all and it was something i hased around with him in the 70's about conduction and infiltration at plates vs say some break that would have a "sandwich" construction, allowing insulation ,leaving less direct heat loss at the floor top and doublin plates..time went by..

then he showed me this place he had glued the studs down with runners along the interior face of the Walls. i thought it to be very hip...only bugger was a few years later when i happened into the place the lumber had sprung out into the room kinda nasty. and the wall itself had moved about 1 1/2" out on one of the corners...with a definite list to the face outside the building....

we really need some new way of doing the same old things buh when you stick your neck out to do so ,sometimes it goes awry.

i like the Wirsbo firesprinkler idea Totally.


all the added insulation is also great.

and who could argue with the radiant heat

Constantin

Trouble is...

... once all the bells and whistles are installed, getting back to the basics is rather expensive. Further trouble is, energy prices still are not at the levels where people who can "afford" badly-built trophy homes will feel the bite...

kevin coppinger_4

a contractor...

I do a lot of work for is using one of these forms AMVIC. A 2000 sq. ft. home cost $400.00 to heat last year...very comfortable, very strong AND it is only 15% more than a std, stick build home....how can you lose? You do need a HRV installed because the house is so tight...kpc

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