Guest Speaker - Don Ferrier

December 22, 2012

Don Ferrier with Ferrier Custom Homes is simply looking to build smarter, and so he has come to expand his company, focused on building sustainable homes within his clients' budgets and goals.  It is interesting that many of his clients have differing goals when it comes to sustainability.  Some, such as the Baby Boomer generation, focus mostly on energy efficiency; while others, such as younger generations, consider protecting the environment and our resources to be a top priority.  And still others simply have health issues and need a healthier home with better air quality.




Source: RESNET




 

Don discussed the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). To the right is the HERS index.  An Energy Star rated home is at 85, while Don typically builds homes around 47-55 with no renewable energy source.

 

A sustainable home begins with

thoughtful passive solar design (left).  Don stated that he takes full advantage of this.  Passive solar design takes into account the fact that the home should be oriented so that the longest walls face the North and South directions.  In Texas, windows along the North wall are good, because one can utilize great natural light without all the heat gain from direct sunlight (in Northern states this can be an issue due to North winds). 





Photo from Ferrier Custom Homes

All Southern exposure should have enough of a canopy to shade the windows in the summer when the sun is higher in the sky but allow the sun to penetrate the windows in the winter when it is lower.  Also, the placement of deciduous trees along the Southern side of the house is important because they will help shade in the summer but will allow sunlight through in the winter when the leaves have fallen.  Proper attic insulation was discussed by Don as well.  Insulation should be placed on the underside of the roof to help insulate more efficiently and keep the ducts, usually located in the attic, from feeling the effects of temperature extremes.



Don discussed a home he built for his daughter, which also happened to be the first LEED-Platinum home in Texas (third in the nation).



Photo from Ferrier Custom Homes

With the use of structural insulated panels (SIPs), Don stated that they were able to cut the use of wood from the structure by about 40%, as compared to typical construction.  This is a very well-insulated building system and is very durable.  The photo above is from the job site and the video below animates the use of SIPs.

 

 

 

Don also discussed the use of advanced framing, which is allowed by code by not widely practiced, in which studs, load bearing walls and roof systems are placed at 24" OC.  This technique is sustainable due to the fact that it cuts down on materials used, considering most designers and contractors build at 16" OC.

 

 

 

This home also features a standing seam galvalume roof, which equates to less maintenance, is very durable, and resulted in lower insurance premiums.  The metal roof also contributes to energy efficiency because it reflects the sun's rays rather than absorb the heat.  In addition, with the use of SIPs, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), and spray foam insulation, any noise from rain or hail landing on the roof is minimized or completely eliminated.

  



 



Photo from Ferrier Custom Homes

Don has found that more and more appraisers and lenders are starting to understand the value of sustainable design and features of a home, and more and more buyers are beginning to look for such a home.  Something I found very interesting is that Don's daughter needed to sell this home, and a doctor relocating here from California, deliberately looking for a green home, eventually bought it.  In Texas, this can be somewhat difficult to find, but this particular story, as well as Don's project list, proves that demand is rising.