Energy Efficient Florida Homes
Installing Insulation, 1948 | Source: State Archives of Florida
One of the draws that attract homebuyers and investors to Southwest Florida is without question the beautiful warm weather. With this warm weather comes certain responsibilities and as home developers, an energy-efficient home is definitely something that Kanopy Homes has taken into consideration for our clients!
Here’s a deep dive into our construction spec sheet to illustrate the features that make our homes energy efficient.
Minimum R-30 Blown Insulation in the Attic
Attic insulation requires a higher R-value (R-Value: resistance to heat flow) to keep the conditioned air from escaping through the attic and to keep the heat that the roof attracts in the Florida sun out of the general living space.
Vapor Shield Exterior Wall Insulation
The Vapor Shield is installed to provide an extra barrier against humid air. Without a vapor shield, water vapor from the humid air can diffuse through the building material of the wall and will cling and condensate against a cool wall.
R-13 Batt Insulation in Exterior Walls
To ensure the cool air from the interior of the home has minimal opportunity to escape, the exterior walls of the home are insulated as well in addition to the attic.
LED Recessed Can Lights
Compared to other standard lighting options, LED lights use less energy to produce the same amount of light and don’t release additional heat into the home.
14 SEER HVAC System
According to Paschal Air, Plumbing, & Electric, “SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it’s sort of like the gas mileage of your HVAC unit.” Research shows that compared to a 10 SEER-rated HVAC system, the 14 SEER can provide up to 28% savings.
Digital Thermostat
In comparison to a mechanical thermostat, digital thermostats are more precise, keeping your room within 1 degree of what it's set at. With this precision, the temperature swing won’t be as drastic, therefore increasing your energy efficiency.
Additional Vapor Barrier Under the Home
Like the vapor shield in the exterior walls, the vapor barrier under the slab of the home prevents any moisture from getting into the home from the underside.
Low E Aluminum Dual-Pane Windows and Sliding Glass Doors
Low E glass has an extremely thin coating on the outside that reflects UV and infrared rays without impacting the amount of light. Dual-pane glass in the windows and sliding doors gives the glass an insulative effect that makes it more difficult for hot air to enter and conditioned air to escape.
Low Flow Plumbing Fixtures
Low-flow plumbing fixtures use less water than regular flow fixtures to achieve the exact same outcome. This helps with both efficiency and the fixture’s longevity.
50-Gallon Energy Star Rated Water Heater
According to Save Home Heat, “a standard rule-of-thumb is that you want a 40-gallon tank for 1 to 4 people, and a 50-gallon tank for 4 to 6 people.” This takes all activities such as handwashing, showering, dishwashing, and laundry into consideration.
If you’re ready to make the move to Southwest Florida, get in touch with a member of the Kanopy team!