5 ms·

Would you be willing to share some of these requirements? I share your views on construction in the US, so I'm curious about some specific examples.

tristor 5y ago
Sure, this is non-exhaustive of course, but here's a few of the items on the list I personally think are very important. * Foundation footings set to bedrock and insulated above the freeze line * Exterior walls framed in 2x6 or 2x8 studs w/ a preference for non-bridging stud products like t-studs * Exterior continuous insulation * Kitchen range hood needs to be externally ventilated with proper make-up air system * Using an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) with filtered intakes for doing fresh air distribution within the home * No use of plastic flooring products (e.g. linoleum, vinyl, carpet, LVP, LVT, et al) which off-gas and spread plasticizers within the indoor envelope * Consider use of alternative methods of framing vs stick framing, like using ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) * Natural gas on-demand hot water heaters w/ electric instant hot systems close to tap for showers * Roof trusses and decking properly constructed to account for the weight of solar panels on the south-facing slope * Split electrical paneling for high voltage (230V+) and low voltage (120V) circuits * Post-meter paneling for breaking out to circuit panels w/ a space for setting up a transfer switch to support future grid-tied solar with battery backup * All electric appliances w/ the exception of on-demand water heater and sealed gas fireplace, this provides a pathway for higher energy efficiency / lower carbon emissions by using solar * All cabinet work should be hung using french cleats for durability * Exterior door frames should be installed fully to the studs (e.g. use 3-4" long screws) * Interior doors should be solid core * All interior walls should contain sound-rated insulation to reduce noise pollution and improve climate zoning * All interior walls should be boarded with sound-sealant and noise rated drywall-type products * Subfloors should be insulated and there should be sound/thermal insulation underlayment below the flooring * The final construction prior to drywall should be able to achieve a blower door test score of ACH50 1.5 or lower with the make-up air and flue vents closed. Not all of these things would be required by code currently in Europe, but they're all good ideas for durability, efficiency, or safety. This is obviously with the intent to use rooftop solar power as well. If I do build a custom house, it'll be built to the Passivhaus standard.
- tfvlrue 5y ago
  Thanks, these are great. > * Exterior door frames should be installed fully to the studs (e.g. use 3-4" long screws) I'm almost scared to ask... how else would you install an exterior door?
- 123470 5y ago
  Your list is a 100% match with my requirements list for my build in the Chicago area in 2018. Sounds like you may have also spent a lot of time on Green Building Advisor articles and forums. Our biggest challenge was finding contractors willing to execute to plan. My wife and I ended up doing a lot of work ourselves especially around insulation details and HVAC systems.
  - tristor 5y ago
    Yes, I am a big fan of Green Building Advisor and I also watch a lot of building YouTubers, predominantly Matt Risinger's Build Show[1]. He has featured other builders and home owners who also have websites or channels, and there I've found more information. There was one chap in central Canada that built a ~5k sqft house that only needed around 1600W to heat in the winter in subzero temperatures. That's the type of energy efficiency we need in new home construction if we're ever going to make a dent in climate change. [1]: https://buildshownetwork.com/ https://buildshownetwork.com/
- kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
  Some of these aren't realistic. All residential panels in the US are 240V or possibly a three phase variant in rural areas.
  - tristor 5y ago
    That's... not actually true at all. In fact, in large parts of the country it's /required by code/ to separate 240V and 120V circuits, such as in most of South Central Texas (pop ~5M or so). There are absolutely 120V panels, and they are commonplace. I will agree, however, that in much of the Midwest and Northeast it's more common to see single-panel installations. Separating the panels is important for safety, though, and it also allows better circuit routing when running the electrical.

tristor 5y ago

Sure, this is non-exhaustive of course, but here's a few of the items on the list I personally think are very important. * Foundation footings set to bedrock and insulated above the freeze line * Exterior walls framed in 2x6 or 2x8 studs w/ a preference for non-bridging stud products like t-studs * Exterior continuous insulation * Kitchen range hood needs to be externally ventilated with proper make-up air system * Using an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator) with filtered intakes for doing fresh air distribution within the home * No use of plastic flooring products (e.g. linoleum, vinyl, carpet, LVP, LVT, et al) which off-gas and spread plasticizers within the indoor envelope * Consider use of alternative methods of framing vs stick framing, like using ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) * Natural gas on-demand hot water heaters w/ electric instant hot systems close to tap for showers * Roof trusses and decking properly constructed to account for the weight of solar panels on the south-facing slope * Split electrical paneling for high voltage (230V+) and low voltage (120V) circuits * Post-meter paneling for breaking out to circuit panels w/ a space for setting up a transfer switch to support future grid-tied solar with battery backup * All electric appliances w/ the exception of on-demand water heater and sealed gas fireplace, this provides a pathway for higher energy efficiency / lower carbon emissions by using solar * All cabinet work should be hung using french cleats for durability * Exterior door frames should be installed fully to the studs (e.g. use 3-4" long screws) * Interior doors should be solid core * All interior walls should contain sound-rated insulation to reduce noise pollution and improve climate zoning * All interior walls should be boarded with sound-sealant and noise rated drywall-type products * Subfloors should be insulated and there should be sound/thermal insulation underlayment below the flooring * The final construction prior to drywall should be able to achieve a blower door test score of ACH50 1.5 or lower with the make-up air and flue vents closed. Not all of these things would be required by code currently in Europe, but they're all good ideas for durability, efficiency, or safety. This is obviously with the intent to use rooftop solar power as well. If I do build a custom house, it'll be built to the Passivhaus standard.

tfvlrue 5y ago
Thanks, these are great. > * Exterior door frames should be installed fully to the studs (e.g. use 3-4" long screws) I'm almost scared to ask... how else would you install an exterior door?
123470 5y ago
Your list is a 100% match with my requirements list for my build in the Chicago area in 2018. Sounds like you may have also spent a lot of time on Green Building Advisor articles and forums. Our biggest challenge was finding contractors willing to execute to plan. My wife and I ended up doing a lot of work ourselves especially around insulation details and HVAC systems.
- tristor 5y ago
  Yes, I am a big fan of Green Building Advisor and I also watch a lot of building YouTubers, predominantly Matt Risinger's Build Show[1]. He has featured other builders and home owners who also have websites or channels, and there I've found more information. There was one chap in central Canada that built a ~5k sqft house that only needed around 1600W to heat in the winter in subzero temperatures. That's the type of energy efficiency we need in new home construction if we're ever going to make a dent in climate change. [1]: https://buildshownetwork.com/ https://buildshownetwork.com/
kevin_thibedeau 5y ago
Some of these aren't realistic. All residential panels in the US are 240V or possibly a three phase variant in rural areas.
- tristor 5y ago
  That's... not actually true at all. In fact, in large parts of the country it's /required by code/ to separate 240V and 120V circuits, such as in most of South Central Texas (pop ~5M or so). There are absolutely 120V panels, and they are commonplace. I will agree, however, that in much of the Midwest and Northeast it's more common to see single-panel installations. Separating the panels is important for safety, though, and it also allows better circuit routing when running the electrical.