THE TOUCHSTONE ENERGY HOME: MORE COMFORTABLE, MORE EFFICIENT
If you’re thinking about building a new home, you’ll probably want to make sure it’s as comfortable as possible – and that it’s so energy-efficient that you’ll see lower utility bills.
You’ll find inspiration and practical advice in the Touchstone Energy Home program. Through this program, Touchstone Energy cooperatives like ours have worked with experts throughout the energy and homebuilding industries to identify specific features that will make homes more comfortable, while reducing energy costs.
All that knowledge has been assembled into a set of nationally recognized energy efficiency standards that have been tailored to each climate zone across the country. These standards provide the information builders need to build that level of efficiency and comfort into their homes. Some of the more important features of Touchstone Energy Homes include:
- controlling air infiltration throughout the house to prevent drafts and leaks,
- Attic insulation that provides at least an R-42 value and minimum R-19 wall insulation,
- externally vented exhaust systems in bathrooms and kitchen,
- attic ventilation with ridge vent and aerated soffits,
- a conditioned crawlspace with R-10 perimeter insulation and moisture control,
- double pane, Low-E glass in windows and insulated exterior doors,
- an energy-efficient electric water heating with at least a .94 energy factor, and
- a high-efficiency electric heat pump or geothermal unit.
Touchstone Energy homes are far more efficient in their use of energy than traditional homes, so owners will benefit from smaller utility bills. In addition, because they are so well-insulated and minimize air infiltration, homeowners won’t be bothered by pesky drafts that can cause temperature variation throughout a room. Proper ventilation ensures that normal household moisture created by cooking and bathing can escape, so mold and mildew will also be less of a problem.
Another reason co-ops such as ours encourage members to build Touchstone Energy Homes is that more efficient use of energy is good for everyone. It helps us ensure a reliable, affordable supply, and it helps the nation’s environment by reducing the need for extra power.
Not thinking about a building a new home? You can still apply these standards to an existing home to improve your comfort and ensure that your energy bills are as low as possible. For example, the most important step you can take is to identify and block sources of air infiltration that create annoying drafts and drive your heating and cooling bills up. You can also seal bypasses in your attic and add insulation to achieve the R-42 standard, or replace an older furnace or heat pump with a newer, more efficient model.
If you’d like to learn more about the Touchstone Energy Home standards, or if you’re thinking about building a new home and want to ensure that your builder knows what to do, you’ll find a great source of information right here at the co-op. Dan Levitz, our Energy Services Specialist, will be happy to explain the program and answer your questions about it.
Making sure your home is as comfortable as possible – and helping you lower your energy costs – is one more way you can rely on us to free advice when you want it and help when you need it. |
Randon and Reece McMaster have been chosen to participate in the 2008 Indiana Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. They are the sons of Rian and Ramona McMaster of LaGrange. They are currently juniors at Lakeland High School.
