If you took all the environmentalism out of it, energy efficiency would still be a great idea. That’s because energy costs money. You aren’t such a skinflint that you expect to pay nothing for heat and electricity. Even so, you would rather spend your money on virtually anything besides utilities.
We don’t want our clients to overspend on utilities, either, which is why we take special care to maximize their new homes’ energy efficiency. It makes a Wennsmann home a better long-term investment – and if our efforts to reduce energy wastage help stave off global warming, so much the better.
Quality Insulation
Great insulation isn’t just resistant to moisture, mold, acid and alkaline. It also has the correct R-value for the zone it’s installed in. When we build homes in Minnesota, we make certain to install R60 insulation in the attic. That’s ideal for retaining heat during winter (and keeping it out during summer). We also install R5 to R10 insulative wall sheathing, as well as R30 or R38 flooring insulation (depending on how far north or south we’re building).
Remember: you only pay for insulation once, but you benefit from it for the lifetime of the house.
Efficient Windows
Windows used to be terribly inefficient until the 1930s. That’s when Charles D. Haven invented “multi-ply glass,” and by extension the double-pane window. The large air gap between its two panes gives a double-pane window much higher insulation value than a single pane could achieve.
Modern windows can have two, three, and even four panes that are separated from one another by a thin layer of argon (a dense gas that blocks against heat loss and gain). That plus low-emissivity metallic oxide coating makes window glass super effective at retaining heat during winter and repelling it during summer. By installing the window industry’s best, we ensure our clients wind up paying significantly less on natural gas and air conditioning.
Efficient HVAC System
In order to be energy efficient, a residential HVAC system must have many things. These include:
- Properly sealed ductwork, which has relatively few hard angles that could impede the free flow of forced air
- A furnace with a high AFUE rating, which necessarily means it is more effective at converting fuel into heat
- An air conditioner with a high SEER 2 rating, which is similarly more effective at converting electricity into coolth
- A smart thermostat, plus a state-of-the-art zoning system if the client is really eager to invest in energy efficiency
The choices you make while designing a home’s heating and cooling systems will have massive ramifications for its upkeep costs. We help our customers save big on HVAC without forfeiting comfort or convenience.
Efficient Electrical System
If you want to install a 2,500 watt xenon searchlight in your backyard to help you look for sasquatch, then we say more power to you. At least we’ll know your interior lighting is energy efficient, because we will have already installed LEDs in your home.
We’ll also help you save on electricity by advising the best Energy Star appliances. Starting your new home off with the right freezer, refrigerator, range, washer and dryer is certain to save you in the long run!
Let’s Make Your Upcoming Project Efficient
At Wensmann Contractors, we’re all about making high-quality contracting affordable. When you engage our local, family-owned general contractor in Central Minnesota or the Brainerd Lakes area, you can rest assured you’ll pay a fair and low price for property you’ll own with pride. Contact us today to get started!