How to Have a Sustainable Home
September 24th, 2009
Mosby Building Arts is proud to be a part of the Earthways Green Homes Festival on September 26, 2009, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The event is free, so come visit us at Booth #10 (on Grandel Square, just west of Grand Boulevard and across the street from the Sun Theater) and learn what steps you can take to make your home sustainable.
The broad definition of a sustainable home is one that uses its resources efficiently with the capacity to endure. We at Mosby practice this as “Build it right the first time,” and have adhered to this principal for over 60 years. When a home works efficiently and properly, home owners benefit from the low-maintenance function and lasting quality, which ultimately saves money.
Consider that the greenest home is one already standing, reusing (or remodeling) what exists is a responsible form of sustainability. A home that is comfortable, healthy and energy efficient has a positive impact on our resources, neighborhood and the earth. Examples of a sustainable home include:
Water Management
A home’s biggest enemy is water because it has the ability to do great damage and is constantly seeking a way to do this by infiltrating the barriers we put up against it.
All surfaces exposed to repeated water leaks will eventually deteriorate, which causes unsafe and unhealthy living conditions. Keeping the water out is so much more than a good roof; proper flashing and drainage are part of the system that works with the roof to keep water from invading. If one part of this system breaks down, there will be water leaks that may take awhile to show up, and by then it may have already caused costly damage. Keeping a home water tight is the key to sustaining it for generations to come.
Venting
Homes need a steady intake and release of air to keep indoor air healthy and dry. Negative impact of faulty air venting includes:
• Too much air escaping through improper venting or sealing allows valuable heating and cooling energy to escape, encouraging wasteful energy bills and feeling uncomfortable.
• A house that is too air-tight will hold in moisture (commonly experienced as humidity) and high water content breeds mold. Moisture can rot wood (both structure and furniture) and create unhealthy breathing conditions. Proper venting maintains the delicate balance of air flow that keeps families safe and healthy.
Energy Efficiency
Heating, cooling and water bills make up about 40% of the cost of running a home, so it is important for these systems to run efficiently to receive maximum benefit from them.
A home energy audit is the surest way to know the level of energy efficiency in a home. Audits are a series of tests that will measure items such as the rate of air exchange, carbon monoxide levels and air leaks. The findings will highlight where improvements can be made that will bring about measurable improvement in energy savings, comfort and indoor air quality.
Mosby Building Arts has a Certified Green Professional energy auditor who is registered with the Building Performance Institute, Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Ameren UE to perform the tests that identify problem areas and recommend the changes that will benefit you the most. Mosby also performs the energy efficiency solutions, so you will have the peace of mind that comes from having experienced professionals handle every aspect of sustainable improvements to your home.
Learn more about the Mosby Home Energy Audit here, and on Saturday, September 26, talk with the Mosby energy auditor at the Earthways Green Homes Festival. It is a great opportunity to get a head start on improving the comfort, health and performance of your home.
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Related posts:
- 10 Secrets of Home Energy Savings
- Mosby Has 5 Certified Green Professionals
- See a Mosby Home Energy Audit
- Mosby’s LEED Certified Project Manager
- KMOX – Healthy Homes Are Energy Efficient
Learn the Art of Living at CallMosby.com.
Tags: earthways green festival, energy efficiency, home energy audit, sustainable homes, venting, water management
