The list below encompasses areas we are passionate about, as well as options for you to consider.
What We’re Doing
- Sorting recycling from waste materials at our warehouse – we recycle over 20 tons of metal and cardboard annually.
- Donating cabinets, appliances, hardware, and plumbing fixtures to Community Forklift and to Habitat for Humanity Restore.
- Building additions to meet or to exceed the latest energy codes – using continuous exterior insulation where required, upgraded attic and floor insulation, insulated and conditioned crawlspaces, energy-efficient windows and doors.
- Building air barriers to improve energy efficiency:
- Install a continuous air barrier in the building envelope as well as the exterior thermal envelope.
- In ceilings/attics: the air barrier in any dropped ceiling or soffit are aligned with the insulation. Any gaps in the air barrier will be sealed as well as access openings, drop down stairs or knee wall doors to unconditioned attics.
- Walls: seal the junction of the foundation and sill plate, the junction of the top plate and top exterior walls, and knee walls. Cavities within corners and headers or frame walls are insulated by completely filling the cavity with a material having a thermal resistance of no less than R-3/inch.
- Windows, skylights & doors: Seal the space between framing and skylights and the jambs of windows and doors.
- Rim joists: include air barrier and are insulated.
- Flooring (including cantilevered floors and floors above garages): air barrier is installed at any exposed edge of insulation. Floor framing cavity insulation is installed to maintain permanent contact with the underside of subfloor decking.
- Crawl space walls: Exposed earth in unvented crawl spaces are covered with a Class 1 vapor retarder with overlapping joints taped.
- Shafts, penetrations: Duct shafts, utility penetrations, and flue shafts opening to exterior or unconditioned space are sealed.
- Narrow cavities: Batts to be installed in narrow cavities are cut to fit or filled with insulation.
- Garage separation: air sealing will be provided between the garage and conditioned spaces.
- Plumbing and wiring: In exterior walls, batt insulation is cut to fit around wiring and plumbing. Or, insulation will conform to the available space and extend behind piping and wiring.
- Shower/tub on exterior wall: air barrier installed at exterior wall adjacent to showers and tubs will be installed on the interior side and separate the exterior walls from the showers and tubs. Exterior walls adjacent to showers and tubs will also be insulated.
- Electrical/phone box on exterior walls: Air barrier will be installed behind electrical and communication boxes.
- HVAC register boots: HVAC supply and return register boots that penetrate building thermal envelope will be sealed to the subfloor, wall covering or ceiling penetrated by the boot
- Using light colors for new flat roof membranes to reflect sunlight, rather than absorbing it as heat.
- Installing ‘dry wells’ to control storm water run-off on site, rather than adding to the municipal stormwater system.
- Using low VOC paint and sealants on interior work including the option to use waterborne sealants when refinishing wood flooring.
- Using 75-85% high-efficiency light fixtures such as LEDs for new recessed and decorative lights.
- Deploying high efficiency particulate air vacuums (Advance Euroclean GD 930 HEPA vacuums) and HEPA air scrubbers.
- Carefully following and documenting all EPA mandated lead safe work practices, including having EPA lead-safe certified team members
Decisions You Can Make
- Replacing additional windows and doors in your home to achieve higher efficiency.
- Choosing water saving toilets, faucets, and shower heads.
- Exploring tankless hot water heaters.
- Selecting high efficiency HVAC equipment to heat and cool your new space.
- Considering a home energy audit to evaluate your existing conditions and options to improve them.
- Planning for future electric needs such as solar, EV charging stations, converting gas ranges and fireplaces to electric, etc.
- Choosing materials and fixtures that save energy in use or in manufacturing:
- Composite decking material made with recycled materials rather than pressure-treated wood that will deteriorate more quickly.
- Countertops, flooring, and other finishes manufactured with green or recycled materials such as glass or bamboo.
- Siding and exterior trim materials that are more durable and that may contain recycled materials such as fly ash.
- Reusing cabinets in a basement or garage.
Tax credits are offered locally and federally and vary based on location, income, etc. Rewiring America offers a tool to help at Rewiring America
