Nearly every decision (other than location) we made reflected concerns over energy costs.

We built what would best be called a "berm" home so that our heating/cooling bills were less. We live in the lower (below grade) level so that we can shut off the upstairs if we don't want to heat/cool it (all spare space upstairs). We have wood burning stove and fireplace to take advantage of the trees we have on our property instead of having to pay for propane and electric for heat. I wanted a big fancy kitchen appliance that DH wouldn't let me get because it was 240 and took too much energy to run. We're doing LED lights everywhere we can think of, and CFL everywhere else. High efficiency windows, extra insulation, 2x6 walls, radiant floor heat (powered by a wood burning boiler eventually).

DH is certain that power costs will eventually eat people out of house and home and he doesn't want to be a victim. He'd love to be totally off grid by implementing solar/wind/hydro power at some point, all of which are available to us, just too expensive to implement right now.

We'll grow as much produce as we can to try to cut costs there as well.

Our biggest costs will be gasoline due to our current commutes, but we hope to change that as well sometime in the near future. And of course Diesel to run the tractor and other equipment necessary to take care of the property.

I have no idea what "Peak oil" is.

Here is a link that might be useful: House Blog

>Are you building smaller to compensate?

No.

>Are you building with high-efficiency materials (ICFs? SIPs? Other super-insulation techniques)?

Yes. All-concrete home with EPS insulation. Tight tilt-turn windows. Lots of shade trees (mature pecans 60ft+).

>Are you building closer to jobs than you otherwise might have, to reduce commuting distances?

Yes. I moved within the loop in Dallas. 5 miles commute - I usually ride my bicycle.

I used to own a 4000sf 2-story home in the suburbs that cost me around $600/month in the summer for AC (thermostat set to 78F-80F). Never again. I also enjoy riding my bicycle instead of driving my car (especially now that gas has hit $4/gal).

We're building smaller, but not just for energy savings. We will have all our needs met on one floor, and the basement and loft will rarely if ever be heated or A/C. We haven't started our build yet, so insulation, and even construction technique is yet to be decided. With 7 acres of woods, we will probably use wood as supplemental heat, and I'm planning a solar hot water collector. We are very adaptive, and will probably keep the heat at 60 during the winter, and the A/C at 80 in the summer. While not 'off-grid', we will be set up to survive on our own if it ever comes to that. Our driving distance will probably be a little longer, unless we get lucky and find work close to our place. That's the trade-off for affordable rural property versus making a living. As a tool and die maker, I have to live fairly close to a city for employment. FWIW, I made all these decisions long before the current energy crunch.

Not building smaller but investing in ICF construction for external shell and Geothermal heating and cooling. I live about 15 mi from where I work now but chose this location so I"ll be about the same distance from other locales I may work in.
Energy concerns should be of prime concern especially with deregulation. When I used to live in Ohio the gas bill in the coldest months were around $400/mo. My friend who still lives there says those bills are now around $800/mo and that's in the space of 3 years.

Are you building smaller to compensate? Yes, but for many other reasons as well. To me smaller houses are just plain nicer than large ones.

Are you building with high-efficiency materials (ICFs? SIPs? Other super-insulation techniques)? Yep Straw bale.

Are you building closer to jobs than you otherwise might have, to reduce commuting distances? Not really, we are totally relocating for family reasons.

If you are doing any of the things I mentioned, or more / other (and please elaborate!), are you aware of so-called "Peak Oil"? Or are you doing it simply as a good investment (spend money now in the build, to reduce recurring costs)? Good investment and we figure if it is possible to have lower energy bills and a lower impact on the environ then why not?

I have no idea what "Peak oil" is.

"Peak Oil" is when the world cannot ever produce more oil, no matter how much it rises in price, no matter how hard we look for more, or what kind of "oil-like" alternatives we turn to.

When this peak has been reached, and global demand wants to rise higher, then prices rise, and some demand has to be "destroyed"; i.e., some people can't afford as much as they want.

There's some good anecdotal evidence that we are either there now, or will be in the next couple of years.

Peak Oil is why your husband has good reason to be worried about the cost of energy in the future. The consequences of the Peak are uncertain; some think it's the End Of The World As We Know It, some think it's going to be "merely" a really painful transition to lower-energy lifestyles. (Some think it's not happening or will be a non-event, but I don't tend to listen to them. I'm closer to the "painful transition" camp.)

--Steve

Are you building smaller to compensate?
I'd say average size: 2,500 s.f.
That is the minimum size covenats allow in the subdivision.

Are you building with high-efficiency materials (ICFs? SIPs? Other super-insulation techniques)?
Yes, R-23 insulation on 2x6 walls and R-49 in the attic

Are you building closer to jobs than you otherwise might have, to reduce commuting distances?
Yes, that is the reason I chose the lot. Love the location: 5 to 9 minutes from our places of work.

If you are doing any of the things I mentioned, or more / other (and please elaborate)
Instead a second floor we have a lower level that is cheaper to heat and cool.
In addition to energy efficiency (we are using a high efficiency Carrier furnace and a Carrier New Puron refrigerant condenser) I want to make sure that we have a healthy interior environment: april air humidifier, Infinity Air Purifier (carrier) attached to the furnace, formaldahyde free insulation, green paint, more than 60% of the flooring to be hard (wood and porcelain)
We are placing a vapor barrier under the lower level concrete slab to control in at least 90% of Radon emmisions. I will also connect a pipe to the interior perimeter tile that colects the water under the slab and then vent it to the exterior (radon system)
we are using low-e windows,
we have a big porch in the back and just added a bigger porch in the front (the entry is on the west side) to use passive techniques.

I forgot the more/other we are doing: Passive solar design to account for very close to 100% of heating costs and eliminate the need for A/C.
Straw bale walls, rain water catchment, possible solar power. Milk paint, wood flooring.

I forgot the more/other we are doing: Passive solar design to account for very close to 100% of heating costs and eliminate the need for A/C.
Straw bale walls, rain water catchment, possible solar power. Milk paint, wood flooring.

Our architect told us that he is preparing his clients for "the post-petroleum era", so our approx. 2400 sq. ft. house incorporates lots of energy efficient concepts:
Passive solar, with majority of windows (low-E Loewen casement) on the south side, and roof overhangs to compensate for summer vs. winter sun angle.
Jotul wood stove installed in a masonry surround for heat-sink in living area (lots of firewood on 100 acres!), and open floor plan for the first floor where we can confine our day-to-day living. We'll be able to close off the second floor and basement if necessary to conserve heat.
12x12 metal roof with large south-facing aspect in the event that we decide to invest in photovoltaics in the future.
Geothermal heat/AC.
Cistern/rainwater cachement for garden irrigation...DH very interested in Permaculture. Large, solar-charged fenced garden area and stocked pond installed about 5 years prior to building. We already grow and preserve a large portion of the vegetables and fruits that we eat...and share with local critters. Hope to advance to chickens for eggs once we're in.
2x6 construction with planned open cell foam insulation, "California corners", and other contemporary construction techniques to allow maximum foam penetration.
House will be only 8-9 miles from workplace. And yes, we do believe that energy costs will only go higher, especially when our area experiences deregulation in a few years. Oil is indeed a finite resource. Why are we not pursuing more sustainable/renewable sources of energy? (Rhetorical question!)

Our house is in the planning phases. I have my idea/inspiration binder and wish list, and have just started to interview architects.

Are you building smaller to compensate?

Yes, 2500 sq ft (max), which is small in my area for a nicer home. It is for me, DH and 3 active boys. Current house is a 3100 sq ft walk out ranch, but I'd say 90% of our time is spent on the main level which is maybe 1750 sq ft. So one could argue that we're not building smaller. This will be all on one level except for an "away" or reading loft above the main living area.

Are you building with high-efficiency materials (ICFs? SIPs? Other super-insulation techniques)?

Yes, depending on what can be delivered on our budget. Looking for the most bang for the buck. ICF or SIPs, geothermal heat/cool, passive solar features, concrete floors, highly insulated windows are all on our wish list. Also the ability to add features later like a wind turbine are important if they eventually would have a reasonable ROI. Want to reuse/repurpose and minimize construction waste whenever possible.

Are you building closer to jobs than you otherwise might have, to reduce commuting distances?
We are moving to 5 acres just outside of town. It reduces my husband's commute by 5 mins and adds 6 mins to mine. It would be a wash except it adds about 5 minutes to the time it takes to get to the grocery store and to any other in-town errands.

I know one family living on five acres conspicuously contributing to suburban sprawl is not green. But there were houses already built (long ago) on either side of our parcel, and the land was not being farmed or anything before we bought it. It's been sitting there waiting for someone to build on it for years (previous owners held onto it but never built) -- so if we don't someone else will. How's that for rationalization!

If you are doing any of the things I mentioned, or more / other (and please elaborate!), are you aware of so-called "Peak Oil"? Or are you doing it simply as a good investment (spend money now in the build, to reduce recurring costs)?

Never heard of peak oil. We are doing this because it's the right thing to do, and certainly energy costs are not going down. Basically I don't feel a need to heat and cool space that is rarely used. We live a very informal life.

I'm not building...just offer advice for efficiency
to builders/home owners in my area.
Guess my screen name states my business!

Congrats to all incorperating efficiecy into their homes.

Long overdue in many, many areas.

Best of luck to you all!

Are you building smaller to compensate? No

Are you building with high-efficiency materials (ICFs? SIPs? Other super-insulation techniques)? Yes, an active solar home is planned with low eaves and specific plantings around home to reduce heat from western sun. We will be adding a back up battery at a later time. Plan to use all Energy Star related appliances and energy efficient lighting as much as possible.

Are you building closer to jobs than you otherwise might have, to reduce commuting distances? Not necessarily at first, but we will both be retired eventually and will be in walking distance to all our activities in a gated community. When we can't walk, we will be driving an electric car that we will charge in our garage with solar power.

Now if someone would just design solar outlets at all the malls and parking lots we can recharge our electric car battery for minimal or no fees!

We are not building smaller as much as smarter. We are building our '20 year' house. I am 45 and work about mile and
a half from my office.

We have eliminated rooms that are never used in favor of larger and better planned rooms. Large covered porches and large outdoor living spaces are included. I am concerned not as much with the cost of the new house as I am with the cost of living in it. The cost of energy will only go up. We have installed geothermal and have used Biobased Open Cell foam on the building envelope. We have used Weathershield casement windows with the Zoe-Shield on the windows facing West. So far, we are thrilled with the foam. The attic and the 2nd floor have been comfortable all week and temps in Nashville approached mid 90s today. I am also using the fluorescent bulbs where I can.
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Peak oil is a basic assumption in our project.

So, the first priority was securing a site with excellent public transportation, so that a car would be unnecessary.

Second priority was cost-effective efficiency, and we settled on foamboard outside/rockwool inside with decent low-e windows.

Third was some active energy gain, and the house is sited so as to be able to accommodate a solar installation when it becomes more cost effective. The house is also designed to facilitate natural ventilation to cut cooling costs.

We did all that you suggested 3.5 years ago.

ICF home, 3000 sq ft, Sealection500 foam insulation, metal roof, low-E argon-filled casement windows, long roof overhangs, traditional cement stucco, energy star appliances, gas dryer and range, high efficiency var. speed HVAC, Isokern fireplace, xeriscaped/low water/all-perennials, only 8ftx20ft of grass, push mower, 8 miles from downtown Dallas, 3 miles from office.

We have been laughing all the way to the bank since, and now look like Kreskin to our neighbors.

Posters here are an exceptional lot!

Energy savings and building green get a lot of media play in my community. But very few builders incorporate these measures, responding instead to homebuyers still more attracted to glitz and glamour.

I build in-fill at the higher end and pay close attention to competitors. New homes here selling for as much as $4 million are still usually built to bare Code as far as energy savings go.

When I do a custom, I encourage clients to spend to save. They say they're interested. Until they hear the price. They'd rther spend the money where it shows--expensive flooring, built-ins, granite counters and showy cabinetry.

I really don't think most people understand the effectiveness of the spray foam. Our new home is at the paint stage. They are finishing taping and will be spraying my trim tomorrow. Today, my project manager pulled the paint team across the street to finish the last touches of a home that will be moved in next week. (it was ok...I will be his only house for my last 8-10 weeks)

Anyway, when I went by at lunch and walked inside, I was amazed. It was 95 degrees in Nashville today. At 1:00 pm, I went by and the house was empty.No windows or doors were open and none had been all day. It was no more than 75 degrees inside on the main floor. Amazing! Our HVAC is not hooked up yet and will not be until our painters are done spraying the trim. Most houses without AC would be almost unworkable on a day like today. We have also installed a geothermal hvac system, so I am so excited about the low bills that I will have every month, not to mention the lack of dust, bugs, drafts, etc. We used the biobased foam and weathershield casements with the zoe glass.

worthy - I suspected that might be the case but I just find it hard to understand myself. Though I think many of your clients are in a far higher tax bracket than me so that must explain the difference in outlook.

We used energy and eco friendly where we could afford them, i.e., windows, foam insulation (but only in the walls and part of the ceiliing), EO AC/heat, and other electrial appliances and fixtures. Have covered porches around 3/4 of the house.

gr8, we find the same thing with our house. We walk in and it's cool inside and hot outside. In the colder months it would get cold inside at night and we had to open the doors to let any heating of the day in. LOL We are so pleased with our decision to put in the foam and wish we could have afforded it throughout the roof and attic. However, with just what we have it will mean a world of difference in our heating and cooling bills!!