ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Garner Custom Homes provides you with another value-added benefit – energy efficiency. We are committed to saving you money while we protect the environment. While educating you on your options, we stay committed to:
- Helping YOU save money every month
- Making you more comfortable at home
- Protecting our environment
“We had an evening party with over 35 people on one of the hottest days in August. We were concerned about the house staying cool. Even though the system never went lower than 73, everyone was very comfortable! We’ve also been very pleased with our utility bills. We have three units and over 5,500 SF and as you know – most of that is glass! The highest bill we’ve had yet was still under $400 and that was in the hottest month! We’ve been so happy with the way our house is performing!” – Cordillera Ranch Client
Standard
To ensure that each house is up to Garner Custom Homes’ standards, two tests are performed by HERS raters. With our efforts in this area, we aim to achieve a HERS rating of 65 or better.
The blower door test is conducted to verify the building envelope is sealed to Energy Star requirements. The second test is a duct leak test to ensure that all the duct systems have a minimal amount of leakage. Conditioned air that is blown directly into the attic due to poor sealing methods is typically a major area of inefficiency.
The Blower Door
Blower door tests are performed using special variable-speed fans. All windows and doors are closed, and the fan is installed in the front door with a special air-tight seal. As the fan is turned on, the energy auditor will monitor the flow of air through the fan, as well as the air pressure inside your home.
Because your home is sealed and evenly pressurized, it’s easy to find out exactly where air leaks are occurring. In most cases, you can feel air leaks with your hand or see them with the use of a tissue.
The Duct Blaster®
The Duct Blaster® is used to pressure test your duct system for air leaks, much the same way a plumber pressure tests your water pipes for leaks. After temporarily sealing the registers and grilles, The Duct Blaster® fan is connected to the duct system to force air through all the holes and cracks in the ductwork. A precise leakage measurement is then made using the airflow and pressure monitor connected.
HERS Index: Home Energy Rating System Index
The HERS Index is commonly referred to as a MPG (miles-per-gallon) value for a home. The HERS Index is a nationally recognized system for analyzing and scoring the performance of a home from an energy efficiency perspective. Once the analysis has been performed, the HERS Index score is determined and a detailed report is given on the home’s efficiency strengths. By using diagnostics such as a blower door test, duct leakage tester, combustion analyzer, and infrared cameras, the HERS Index test identifies potential pitfalls, while taking into account the specific structure of the home, and how the design can affect efficiency.
Garner Homes obtains HERS Index data on all new mechanical systems and homes, to insure maximum efficiency for each project.
Spray Foam Insulation
Polyurethane spray foam insulation products: There is no better home insulating material that can seal your home from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, strengthen your home, and protect your family’s health from dangerous mold than Spray Foam insulation. Here are just a few of its benefits:
Saves you money and pays for itself in 3-5 years.
Helps reduce moisture and mold.
High R-value prevents air, moisture and gas infiltration, deadens sound travel and noise, and enhances overall building stability.
Keeps dust and pollen out.
Reduces HVAC capacity requirements, decreases maintenance and wear of HVAC equipment.
Typically provides positive cash flow if financing your home (electricity bill savings are greater than the increase in monthly cost of financing the added cost).
Your attic will be 8-10 degrees warmer than the inside of the home and will be low humidity air. It becomes similar to climate controlled storage.
2009 Custom Builder of the Year
CPS Smart Energy Award
The Blower Door Test
The Duct Leak Test
Spray Foam Insulation
Garner Custom Homes provides you with another value-added benefit – energy efficiency. We are committed to saving you money while we protect the environment. While educating you on your options, we stay committed to:
- Helping YOU save money every month
- Making you more comfortable at home
- Protecting our environment
“We had an evening party with over 35 people on one of the hottest days in August. We were concerned about the house staying cool. Even though the system never went lower than 73, everyone was very comfortable! We’ve also been very pleased with our utility bills. We have three units and over 5,500 SF and as you know – most of that is glass! The highest bill we’ve had yet was still under $400 and that was in the hottest month! We’ve been so happy with the way our house is performing!” – Cordillera Ranch Client
2009 Custom Builder of the Year
CPS Smart Energy Award
Standard
To ensure that each house is up to Garner Custom Homes’ standards, two tests are performed by HERS raters. With our efforts in this area, we aim to achieve a HERS rating of 65 or better.
The blower door test is conducted to verify the building envelope is sealed to Energy Star requirements. The second test is a duct leak test to ensure that all the duct systems have a minimal amount of leakage. Conditioned air that is blown directly into the attic due to poor sealing methods is typically a major area of inefficiency.
The Blower Door
Blower door tests are performed using special variable-speed fans. All windows and doors are closed, and the fan is installed in the front door with a special air-tight seal. As the fan is turned on, the energy auditor will monitor the flow of air through the fan, as well as the air pressure inside your home.
Because your home is sealed and evenly pressurized, it’s easy to find out exactly where air leaks are occurring. In most cases, you can feel air leaks with your hand or see them with the use of a tissue.
The Duct Blaster®
The Duct Blaster® is used to pressure test your duct system for air leaks, much the same way a plumber pressure tests your water pipes for leaks. After temporarily sealing the registers and grilles, The Duct Blaster® fan is connected to the duct system to force air through all the holes and cracks in the ductwork. A precise leakage measurement is then made using the airflow and pressure monitor connected.
HERS Index: Home Energy Rating System Index
The HERS Index is commonly referred to as a MPG (miles-per-gallon) value for a home. The HERS Index is a nationally recognized system for analyzing and scoring the performance of a home from an energy efficiency perspective. Once the analysis has been performed, the HERS Index score is determined and a detailed report is given on the home’s efficiency strengths. By using diagnostics such as a blower door test, duct leakage tester, combustion analyzer, and infrared cameras, the HERS Index test identifies potential pitfalls, while taking into account the specific structure of the home, and how the design can affect efficiency.
Garner Homes obtains HERS Index data on all new mechanical systems and homes, to insure maximum efficiency for each project.
Spray Foam Insulation
Polyurethane spray foam insulation products: There is no better home insulating material that can seal your home from air and moisture intrusion, save on costly utility bills, strengthen your home, and protect your family’s health from dangerous mold than Spray Foam insulation. Here are just a few of its benefits:
Saves you money and pays for itself in 3-5 years.
Helps reduce moisture and mold.
High R-value prevents air, moisture and gas infiltration, deadens sound travel and noise, and enhances overall building stability.
Keeps dust and pollen out.
Reduces HVAC capacity requirements, decreases maintenance and wear of HVAC equipment.
Typically provides positive cash flow if financing your home (electricity bill savings are greater than the increase in monthly cost of financing the added cost).
Your attic will be 8-10 degrees warmer than the inside of the home and will be low humidity air. It becomes similar to climate controlled storage.