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NEW homes Your new home awaits
March 2014
Energy-efficient homes becoming the norm Beechen and Dill offers homes that are part of the nationally recognized Environments for Living As new energy standards encroach on the housing market, building more energyefficient homes is becoming the norm and potential homeowners are investing in better housing.
of a home’s energy efficiency; as per the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index. The HERS Index is the nationally recognized scoring system for measuring a home’s energy performance.
Changes began in 2012 with the new International Energy Conservation Code that required more insulation, a tighter envelope, tighter ducts, better windows and more efficient lighting than ever before.
The Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) reports that based on the results,an energy-rated home will receive a HERS Index Score. Developed by RESNET, HERS Index is the industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. Government agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognize the HERS Index as an official verification of energy performance.
The shift resulted in putting all new construction on the same level, explains Ed Kubiak,Director of Construction for Beechen and Dill Home Builders who is responsible for the energy efficiency of the homes it builds in subdivisions like Romeoville’s Misty Ridge. Essentially what the code changes have done are aimed at controlling the tightness of the home and the air movement within, sealing out any air leaks and ramping up insulation ideally making the home more comfortable while meeting energy-efficiency standards. Inevitably due to the changes, Kubiak said the price tag has gone up some for homebuilders across Illinois but utility costs have gone down. On average, he estimates that in providing such energy efficient measures, the cost probably have gone up by $5,000 to $6,000. But on the flip side of that, having an energy-efficient home has its affects on the resale of a home. More often homes are being listed with a home energy rating, which is an analysis
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The HERS Index Score can be described as a sort of miles-per-gallon (MPG) sticker for houses, giving prospective buyers and homeowners an insight as to how the home ranks in terms of energy efficiency. In addition to a HERS Index Score, a home energy rating also provides the homeowner with a detailed report regarding energy problems in the house. Many homeowners may be plagued by high utility bills and are unaware that in many cases the fault may lie not in over usage of electricity but performance issues with the house. A HERS Score puts that information into perspective and may sway a potential buyer. “We have seen more and realtors use this and now it is even becoming a matter of banks taking a look at that score and calculating a loan basing it on that person’s
lower utility costs that may allow them to afford the load,” said Kubiak. Beechen and Dill offers homes that are part of the nationally recognized Environments for Living (EFL) home. EFL homes are designed to help homeowners save money through energysaving features that can add up over time, and can potentially provide a greater resale value. The EFL program provides a rigorous set of requirements for homebuilders that’ve made a commitment to go the extra mile. It is a cutting-edge program based on “building science.” It treats the home as a “system of systems” that work together, and it backs this science with limited guarantees on comfort and heating/cooling energy use. The builders use special framing techniques,improved thermal systems,“rightsized” HVAC systems, low-E windows, and offer a written guarantee to homeowners on the amount of energy used for heating and cooling and comfort. Further tests and systems are put in place to test and reduce potential for moisture build up,drafts,and wasted energy and also ensures fresh air ventilation throughout the home all designed to create a more comfortable home that is more energy-efficient. “We are backed by the Environment for Living program and we have been doing this for years,” said Kubiak.“While the codes have everyone now on an even playing field, we have the experience on how to put this all together.
“As an industry we are moving in the right direction. What we are seeing are that the days of other bigger builders slapping up buildings are gone. Those guys are falling out and buildings are being built better by people who know the ins and outs of this.” For instance over the years requirements keep ratcheting upward. Most homeowners have become familiar with the ENERGY STAR label, already in existence since 1992. Energy Star is an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect the climate through superior energy efficiency. Kubiak said just a few years back to achieve the Energy Star label a home had to receive at least a ranking of 80, it is now at 51. Kubiak said in his experience most homeowners now expect energy-efficiency but still do not want to pay for an upgrade for it. “We’ve learned to set the bar a little higher and beat out the competition because we put in quality products and know what needs to be put in place.” Beechen and Dill are now building in Romeoville, Lemont, Lockport, Woodridge, Frankfort, Darien, and Claredon Hills. The Romeoville subdivision Misty Ridge is in its final third phase with approximately 30 homes left to build with the average price range of $270,000 to $280,000. n Written by Laura Katauskas
How to repair and replace window screens Window screens can let fresh air into a home while preventing insects and outdoor critters from making their way inside. But screens are far less effective at keeping critters out of a home when they’re damaged. Addressing such damage is typically an easy do-it-yourself project, one that begins with gathering the right materials, including: • new screening, either synthetic or aluminum • a rubber spline • a screen rolling tool • a razor knife or sharp scissor • measuring tape • masking tape • a screwdriver or an awl Once those materials have been gathered, the process of replacing or repairing damaged screens is rather simple. 1. Measure the area of the window to determine how much replacement screening you will need. Remember to leave extra room in your measurements so you have slack to make the new screen fit taut. The measurement will also help you determine how much spline you will need. 2. Remove the screen from the window frame. Some windows do not have removable screen frames, and you will
have to work on the screen in its upright position. 3. Use the screwdriver or awl to pry the edge of the existing spline that holds the screening material in the frame. Pull out the old spline and remove the damaged screening. 4. Measure the new screening from a replacement roll. Lay the screening down on the frame, ensuring there is overhang on all sides. If necessary, use masking tape to temporarily secure the screening to the frame while freeing up your hands. This also works if you must replace screening vertically and cannot remove the window frame and make repairs on a flat surface. 5.Take a new piece of rubber spline and push it into the edge of the screen frame, securing a corner of the new screening to the frame. Continue to press the spline around the perimeter of the screen frame firmly into the groove with the screen rolling tool, which looks like a small pizza cutter. This effectively secures the screen into the frame. 6. Continue around the edge of the frame, pulling the new screening taut as you go. This helps to keep it free of wrinkles. 7. Once you have inserted the spline all the way around, cut it off from the spline spool and push in the edge.
8. Use a razor knife or sharp scissor to cut off the excess screening, being careful not to dislodge it from behind the spline when cutting. 9. Replace the screen in the window. In the case of small tears in a screen,a complete replacement may not be necessary. Home improvement stores sell screen patch kits. Some work by cutting out a piece of patch that is attached to an adhesive backing and
sticking it over the hole. Other patches are small, woven wires that can be threaded through the hole in the screen. A really small hole can be mended with a drop of clear-drying glue. The same method of screen replacement can be used to replace screens on screenedin porches, aluminum doors or sliding patio doors. Just be sure to purchase replacement screening that will fit the dimensions.
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