05 - Designing for Your Lot

This is Season 1, Ep. 5 of the Affordable High-Performance Home.

Building an affordable, high-performance home starts with smart design. This video explains the three key design objectives: creating a non-boring home, integrating high-performance features from the outset, and strategically spending your budget.

We illustrate these principles by showing practical design tweaks to a standard home plan, focusing on:

1) Maximizing Views: Simple adjustments for better natural light and scenery.

2) Simplifying the Roof: Why straightforward roof designs are more cost-effective and reliable. Simple roofs are better for insulation, air sealing, and preventing leaks.

3) Adding a Conditioned Attic: The benefits of a sealed and insulated attic for comfort and energy efficiency.

Finally, we discuss the pros and cons of using pre-drawn house plans versus hiring a designer for a custom build, helping you understand which option best suits your goals and budget for an affordable high-performance home.

Presented by:

Atlas EnergyShield

Andersen Windows

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04 - How to Track Sun Angles when Designing Your Home