Our Favorite Energy Efficient Building Materials
At Sparn, we are committed to pursuing sustainable design, so we incorporate energy efficient building materials into our work on a daily basis. We do everything we can to avoid health hazards such as radon, mold, and poor air quality. We also want buildings to represent our clients’ taste. Here are ten of our team’s favorite products that help us succeed in our commitments:
Residential Fuel System: The PureCell Model 5 System produces 5kW of electrical power as well as 21,000 Btu/hour of heat for both heat and power functions. This is ideal for data centers, restaurants, hotels, retail outlets, multi-family residential buildings, and other buildings that constantly use power and thermal energy. The PureCell System turns heat exhaust into heating and can be up to 90 percent system efficient.
LED Path Lighting: This light offers an eco-friendly, minimalist design. Made of solid aluminum and Dark Sky compliant, this light in Hinkley Lighting’s Atlantis collection is chic and sophisticated.
Rain Screen Wall System: Dri-Design’s Tapered Series can be angled any which way to create a unique surface on any exterior. It is weather proof and there are no sealants, gaskets, or tape in the panels, all of which ensure a clean surface with no maintenance. This system is made of aluminum and the lack of sealants means no use of fossil fuels.
Hydrotech Green Roof System: This Garden Roof system provides waterproofing and is lightweight. What is unique about this system is that it replaces a traditional roof with a garden roof. This improves a building’s efficiency, re-oxygenates air, and retains much of the rain during a typical rainfall.
RavenWindow Smart Window: Unlike traditional windows, the RavenBrick Smart Window automatically adjusts light, heat, and glare passed through the window through thermochromic filter technology. It reflects heat and lets in sunlight when it is cooler. This window system can save up to 30% on heating and cooling.
Denim Insulation: Our architectural designer, Jamie Cannon, just used this product in a master bedroom remodel to decrease sound transfer. She says, “It was super easy to work with in that you don’t have to wear any protective wear during installation and because of the thickness and weight, you don’t need any tools for the actual install.”
Trex Decking & Trim: Trex Trim is low maintenance and comes from reclaimed wood and sawdust. Jamie loves the durability of the material and found it very easy to clean and maintain.
Blown-In Cellulose Insulation: Jamie used this to insulate walls between a garage and the house and on exterior walls. She says, “The performance of this product was amazing, drafts and sounds from the outside were almost completely eliminated, and the cost of the installation was reasonable.”
Solatube: Their Smart LED decreases energy used by lights by 94 percent! Jamie loves this product as well. “In the middle of the day these Solatubes provide great light into the space and yet when they need to darken the space for a slideshow, they simply close the unit down,” she explains.
Interior Storm Windows: After purchasing interior low-e compression windows, Jamie explains, “In the case where temperatures hit sub-zero digits, these windows will provide a vapor barrier on the warm side that will stop the condensation. The hope is that this upgrade will provide a more comfortable environment in the house while maintaining the aesthetic of some beautiful windows on the outside of the house.”
These products range from simple to extensive but no matter what your goal, there is something eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing to fit your vision!