Wanting To Build an Energy Efficient Home in TX
My question may be a bit too general? I am building a metal building home (aka “barndominium”) in North Texas, and I’d like to understand the most effective choices for energy efficiency, e.g. : Radiant floor heating? Solar? Traditional A/C vs mini-splits? HRV vs ERV (or neither)? Closed-cell spray foam entire shell is de rigeur or overkill? Traditional water heater vs. on-demand/tankless? Etc.
I understand there is too much detail required my specifc situation/home to get meaningful answers here, so I am open to: 1) a pointer to a good site that quickly helps me understand the basics, especially pros, cons, tradeoffs, costs.; 2) hiring a consultant to walk me through the same; or 3) some other alternative (i.e. “what would you do to get smart on this if you weren’t already?”)
Cheers…
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Replies
Some questions to clarify your situation –
What is a “barndominium”? Does it have conventional straight walls, or is it curved like a half-pipe? Is the metal in panel form as a skin, or is it structural?
Energy efficiency is based on size, orientation wrt the sun (and fenestration and shading), air-sealing, and insulation. The better you make the shell, the smaller and less important the heating and a/c systems are, although you will need a mechanical ventilation system. And a dehumidifier.
To get more information so that you can better understand the questions that you should be asking, you’re already at the right place (GBA), you just need to get a membership so that you can read all of the articles. Start with Martin’s How to Do Everything article for links to articles with answers to many of your questions.
https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/how-to-do-everything
Remember, the design phase is where all the big (and small) decisions and details need to be ironed out. Changes in the design phase are cheaper by orders of magnitude than changes made after the build starts.
"What is a “barndominium”?" Essentially a finished home built inside a metal walled building instead of traditional lumber frame + brick or siding. Take a quick look: https://mortonbuildings.com/projects/residential.
"Start with Martin’s How to Do Everything article..." Actually, I was perusing page that before I decided to sign up and post, but it was a good suggestion...thanks. But...I am worried I will be quickly inundated and likely not able to grok all of the information in a meaningful way. Kinda like being sick and trying to use WebMD to figure everything out I need to do to fix myself:--)
"Remember, the design phase is where all the big (and small) decisions and details need to be ironed out." Yep! That's where I am right now, and I understand the need to get it right(ish) now or pay later.
Additionally, I want to be able to understand enough so that when I am talking with general contractors or subs I don't feel like I am getting bamboozled or sold some product or application simply because it's what they want to sell me or it's their preference. One can easily imagine being steered toward an open cell foam spray insulation solution rather than a closed-cell simply because the contractor got a deal on open-cell a while back and needs to use it up.
I am still interested in other website suggestions or consulting services, at least to explore if there are any known alternatives or options out there. I gotta think green building consults are a thing in this day and age?