Short Version: Energy-Efficient Features in a Case Study House in South Carolina

1. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)
   ICF is a type of wall. Because durable materials need to be replaced less often, durable materials like ICF create more sustainable homes. Additionally, ICF helps to create a sealed envelope and therefore causes the house to require less energy to heat and cool.
2. Metal Roof
   Buildgreen Industries uses metal roofs because they are highly fire-resistant, durable, and reflect UV radiation from sunlight.
3. Spray Foam Insulation:
   We use spray foam to envelope the attic and seal the space. Due to the spray foam insulation, air cannot leak in or out and this makes sure that the temperature of the outside air will not impact the inside temperature as much. This promotes sustainability by reducing the amount of energy the heating and cooling system requires.
4. Low-E Glass Windows
   These windows slow down the energy transfer through the glass. Therefore, heat leaves the house slower in winter and enters the house slower in summer.
5. Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)
   The ERV pushes out inside air and pulls in outside air across a single membrane to exchange the energy from the outgoing air with the incoming air. The makeup air is being tempered by the stale outgoing air and this saves energy.
6. Radiant Barrier
   Because the radiant barrier behind the drywall and in the ceiling is reflective, it lessens the transfer of infrared energy (heat) from the outside to the inside in the summer. In the winter, radiant barrier lessens the amount of energy escaping from the inside envelope to the outside.
7. Composite Deck Raised Concrete Floor System
   This raised concrete floor acts as a thermal mass to stabilize the temperature of the structure and is fire resistant.
8. LED Lights
   LED lights use 20% of the energy for the same amount of light, compared to incandescent bulbs.
9. Photovoltaic System (Solar Panels)
   A photovoltaic system converts sunlight into electricity, which is especially useful in a sunny state like South Carolina.
10. Ground Source Heat Pump System (Geothermal)
    In summer, heat always moves from hot to cold, so heat will leave the house and the ground will absorb some of the heat, sending back newly cooled air. In the winter, the cold from the house will absorb into the wet dirt and heat will flow back inside.
    A desuperheater takes the heat captured from cooling a house and uses it to heat water for showers and washing clothes.
    A hybrid water heater is extremely efficient, particularly in the summer.

Conclusion:

The case study house requires less repair and replacement and uses about half as much energy for heating and cooling at high-load times as a typical home.