Energy Efficiency Ideas

• Energy-efficient appliances –  The ENERGY STAR program has been around since 1992 and has spurred the development of countless energy- and cost-saving home appliances including washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers, heating and cooling systems, lighting and windows, etc.
• Above-code insulation – One of the most impactful ways to minimize energy consumption is to install optimal amounts of insulation during initial construction. Not only are heating and cooling costs reduced, but overall comfort is improved. 
• Water-conserving features – Dual flush toilets and low-flow faucets and shower heads that promote water efficiency are very popular and rated essential or desirable by 72 percent of consumers. Tankless water heaters, which produce on-demand hot water and eliminate the costs of maintaining a tank of standby hot water, were also desirable green components, rated essential or desirable by 67 percent.
• Solar-powered heating and cooling – Though ranked last among features listed in the green section of NAHB’s survey, solar elements were considered to be desirable or essential among 61 percent of respondents.

New from APA: Raised Heel Truss Construction Guide

Raised-heel trusses, also known as energy-heel trusses, deliver cost-effective energy performance, especially when used with continuous plywood or OSB sheathing. Framing with raised-heel trusses and continuously sheathing exterior walls improves structural and energy performance and offers many savings that benefit both the builder and the homeowner.
Conventional trusses compress insulation at the perimeter of buildings, reducing its insulative abilities along the tops of exterior walls. Raising trusses higher above the top plate improves ventilation and allows insulation to extend to all edges without compression. This results in a residence that is more energy-efficient and noticeably more comfortable for the homeowner—and this easy-to-implement technique offers savings to the builder, too. The energy code allows for use of less insulation for the entire ceiling system when a raised-heel truss system is used, allowing builders to reduce material costs while increasing energy efficiency. 
The system has structural advantages as well. Wall systems combining raised-heel trusses with plywood or OSB continuous sheathing have better resistance to lateral forces such as high winds or seismic activity than those fastened with conventional means.