Easy Ideas to Make Construction More Efficient

On this episode of Reschexpert blog we want to discuss ways to make your construction project more efficient this year.  Several different ideas that can help you build not only the most efficient construction energy wise, but also save you time on the site, in turn, saving you money on your total construction budget.

The easiest most cost effective way to know that your project respects all the parameters of your local IECC Energy Code, Climate Zone, energy efficientcy levels for each component of the insulation envelope is Rescheck.  Rescheck energy report will compare your structure to the area that you are building in and give you a pass or fail score.  It can be created easily using the Department of Energy’s Rescheck Web and Rescheck Desktop Rescheck Creation Softwares.  Having a Rescheck can save you money in that your home will be more energy efficient by respecting local codes and climate zones so your energy bills could be less.  It can also save you money by having your contractor knowing exactly what he has to install.  This makes sure framing cavities are large enough to hold the correct amount of insulation in walls and ceilings, and that windows and doors respect the U and SHGC parameters of state and IECC energy codes.

The next way to save money is by knowing the amount of heating and cooling BTUs that your new construction, addition, or alteration will use.  The heat loss and gain is measured by a report called the Manual J Heat Loss.  Manual J Heat Loss looks at your local climate data, typically provided by a nearby airport, and then compares it to each one of your building materials and the areas that they encompass.  Along with this it assigns a value to what is going on inside your home based on your family, setup, and personal needs.  All this together gives you a BTU count to let you know what your potential energy usage might be to heat and cool the structure.  This can be very valuable information to help save you money.

Once you have your BTU usage you can convert this into sizing of your HVAC unit.  This is called a Manual S.  The manual S takes into account things like altitude, climate zone, and the heat loss and heat gain of your structure.  It then helps provide appropriate sizings for both the HVAC unit and furnace.  It can also give you tonnages and help you make a decision as to which unit will properly heat and cool your structure saving you time on research and money on your power bills.

A duct layout of your home helps installers know what CFMs are needed in which room and what sizes of duct work they are going to need to deliver those CFMs to each room.  Each room has a required heat loss and heat gain btu in a home.  This heating and cooling is delivered by the duct system.  The most efficient paths and piping will provide a lower cost install and delivery of the hot and cold air needed to make your home as comfortable as possible.  Knowing the information provided on a Manual D can be invaluable for anyone involved in a new construction, addition, or alteration construction project, not to mention the building inspector.

A Comcheck is similar to a Rescheck except it is for Commercial construction, additions, and alterations.  Com energy report will compare your structure to the area that you are building in and give you a pass or fail score.  It can be created easily using the Department of Energy’s Comcheck Web and Comcheck Desktop Comcheck Creation Softwares.  Having a Comcheck can save you money in that your project will be more energy efficient by respecting local codes and climate zones so your energy bills could be less.  It can also save you money by having your contractor knowing exactly what he has to install.  This makes sure framing cavities are large enough to hold the correct amount of insulation in walls and ceilings, and that windows and doors respect the U and SHGC parameters of state and IECC energy codes.

Overall having a good insulation and hvac installation plan can give you quality information that will guide your project into being easier to build and softer on the wallet.  If you need a Rescheck, Comcheck, Manual D, Manual S, or Manual J simply email plans, square footage, and a jobsite address to service@rescheck.info and we will get you taken care of.