One of our favorite aspects of working with the Community Energy Challenge is the diversity of the projects they send our way. We often complete ‘standard’ weatherization projects. These usually include insulation and air sealing upgrades. But every now and then a project comes our way that presents challenges. And we love it! This project was one of those. It lead to quite a few conversations about efficiency, green building materials and the home as a ‘system.’
About the home
The existing home is a Pan Abode home. Pan Abode homes are cedar homes with factory manufactured components consisting of floor systems, walls, siding, etc. The home is a log house and had no air sealing or insulation. Needless to say, it was super drafty. The homeowner has been slowly increasing the efficiency of the home by adding ceiling insulation, new windows, solar panels, a heat pump and a tankless water heater.
The problem
While the homeowner was making big strides toward energy efficiency the home was cold and drafty and the only solution was insulation and air sealing. Without those components all of the important efficiency measures weren’t making the impact they could have.
The solution
We consulted with Lee Laney, an Energy Advisor at the Community Energy Challenge, and Albert Rooks, President of the Small Planet Workshop. They both suggested we wrap the entire home in a weather resistant barrier and add Thermacork for exterior insulation. We are also performing extensive air sealing, adding a weatherproof barrier and installing a rain screen.
Product details
- We opted to use Thermacork insulation on this project for a number of reasons. For one, it is a carbon negative product. Check out this video to learn more about how Thermacork is made and why it’s so great.
- The SIGA products we used on this project are pretty standard tools in our kit. It’s worth mentioning that we used the SIGA tape and the Majvest weatherproof membrane.
- The cedar siding is harvested and milled locally by Greenleaf Forest Products.
The project is still underway so check back in a month or so to see final pictures and more details about the siding.
by Intellitonic