“The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” — Eric Hoffer As we prepare for another Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to encourage everyone to count our blessings. It has been a challenging couple of years for many of us. But I sincerely believe…
Think the decrease in demand for new home construction is resulting in lower prices for building materials. Think again. According to the September 16 producer price index (PPI) report by the U.S. Labor Department, prices for construction materials edged up 0.2% in August. Prices are 3.6% higher than one year…
Insulation is a key element in building a more comfortable and energy efficient home in Boise, Idaho or elsewhere. Insulation materials are rated according to their ability to resist heat flow. The thermal resistance rating is known as an “R-value”. The higher the R-value of a material, the better its…
Two of the biggest issues facing this country today are unemployment and energy. Our elected officials seem to think that the solution to both is developing emerging renewable energy technology. I disagree. In a blog in February 2009 titled “Home Remodels, Retrofits Are Key To An Energy-Efficient Future” I noted…
The boundary between the conditioned, indoor living spaces and the unconditioned and outdoor spaces is referred to as the “building envelope” and consists of the walls, floor, and ceiling or roof. An airtight building envelope contributes directly to the energy efficiency and comfort of a home. Air leakage accounts for 25…
Insulation is a key element in building a more comfortable and energy efficient home in Boise, Idaho or elsewhere. Insulation materials are rated according to their ability to resist heat flow. The thermal resistance rating is known as an “R-value”. The higher the R-value of a material, the better its…
An effective building envelope – the first floor, exterior walls, and roof – is a key element for an energy-efficient home. Advanced framing techniques increase efficiency and comfort while decreasing costs. Most homes in Boise are framed with wood and wood loses or gains heat more quickly than insulation. In…
The 2010 AVID Home Design Driver Research Survey showed that the majority of home buyers rated energy efficiency as a “Must Have” for their new homes. Although Boise and southwestern Idaho have some of the lowest power rates in the nation, home buyers still want their new homes to be…
The 2010 AVID Home Design Driver Research Survey provides some insight into what features today’s home buyers equate with a green home. AVID Ratings is a a leading provider of enterprise-level surveys specializing in the home building industry. The AVID survey studied the preferences of nearly 12,000 North Americans who…
Did you know that May is National Remodeling Month? Since the downturn in new residential construction that began in 2007, the media has been focusing on the number of new starts as the key indicator of the health of the residential construction industry. But focusing on the number of starts…
