Green Building 101

1 . Old truths are sometimes the truest.

Turn down the thermostat.  At bedtime, turn it down, to about 50 to 55 degrees. You will be warm under the covers, and this can save the environment, and you, $50 month during the winter, even more $ in bigger homes. Programmable thermostats can make this even easier.

2. Insulation and sealing a new home are critical.

Caulking around pipes (in exterior walls), and other such perforations, plus sealing cracks minimizes air infiltration.In my opinion, sprayed in Cellulose is the best insulation per extra $ spent. Fiberglass is OK, and the cheapest, certain foams are great, but very pricey. Cellulose is made from ground-up newspapers, so it is very environmentally friendly, (it is treated for fire and vermin infiltration), it has a higher R value than fiberglass, plus fabulous sound deadening qualities.

3. 10' tall ceilings are great in the summer, you rarely need your AC.

I have been designing this element into my homes for many years. Normal design usually allows for windows that give good cross ventilation.

4. Windows

Windows have an R value of about 3, as where walls are about R-16, and ceilings  R-40, so keep away from unnecessary windows, and you save $ in building, plus save on your impact on the environment, your "carbon footprint". Bear in mind, the home we build for you may be around for the next four or five hundred years!! So Corcoran commits, no leaks, no squeaks, and built to last.                                                                                                                                                                               

5. Upstairs:

If your upstairs will be used regularly, then "power vents" in the roof will save energy, and make the upstairs more comfortable.

Common Sense: 

The above "Green" building techniques are the most effective, and been around for many years. Corcoran has been building these elements into every home since our inception, energy conscious long before it was trendy. We have been doing "Energy Star" quality construction all along!
Today's technology makes "green" an endless avenue of possibilities.

Our additional suggestions are as follows:

These are roughly in order of the best value for the additional expense.

Energy saving appliances, starting with your refrigerator, dryer, and all the way through your small appliances, but most important, turn them off when possible.

Storm windows: Even though you have "insulated" glass, it is still only about an R-3, so if not all windows, storms on certain windows will have a great payback. Bearing in mind you will not need to buy screens for those windows, it is fairly economical.