Category: energy efficiency

In our last blog post, we discussed how LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification can bring your home to the next level. Between improved indoor air quality, greater energy efficiency, and even increased owner satisfaction, attaining this accreditation makes sense for eco-conscious consumers.     In part two of this LEED blog series, we’ll dive into what you should anticipate during the certification process and hear from the experts how to best navigate the process. The LEED certification process: What to expect While LEED certification involves...


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As we mentioned in our last post, Choosing Energy-Efficient Windows (Part 1) - Understanding U-Factor, selecting the right windows is a big decision when building a passive-inspired home. It’s also one of the most important elements for both energy efficiency and aesthetics. In this article, we’ll discuss another essential aspect of energy-performance rating in windows – the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC).   How does energy flow through windows? As illustrated below, windows lose and gain heat by convection, radiation, conduction, and air leakage. Convection occurs...


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  Windows are a crucial component in the design of a house, and their aesthetic appeal can help support the overall style of the building. They allow daylight into the home and give us a visual connection to the outside world. We expect windows to let in fresh air and breezes when the weather is right. And – when the weather is unpleasant – we want our windows to be airtight with great thermal insulation. It should come as no surprise that windows play a huge role in the overall energy efficiency of your home. Windows help to moderate heat flow, making them a key contributor...


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  One of the most important (and often overlooked) energy efficiency factors in any home is its orientation. Believe it or not, how a house is oriented in relation to the sun can have a dramatic impact on heating and cooling – the largest energy contributor in most homes. A study by the Bonneville Power Administration found that homes re-oriented toward the sun (without any additional solar features) saved between 10% and 20% on heating costs. Not to mention – lots of natural light creates a desirable natural ambiance, contributing to your home’s overall comfort. While...


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Clarum is incredibly proud to have built the very first net-zero office building in Palo Alto. Our company is committed to creating comfortable, energy-efficient environments which reduce utility costs and promote ecological stewardship… and of course, our own office headquarters are no exception.     But what does having a new net-zero office building actually mean? Net-zero buildings Traditional commercial buildings consume 40% of the total fossil fuel energy in the US, and are significant contributors of greenhouse gases. With global climate change and rising energy...


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If you’re thinking about building a high-performance home, you’re probably wondering about its financial implications – both upfront and long-term. While it’s impossible to estimate the cost of any home without factoring in variables such as size and style, there are general patterns to note when planning (as well as other incentives to consider). It might be tempting to assume that high-performance is a much more expensive option – but remarkably, a high-performance home only costs 5-10% more than its conventionally-built equivalent. “People are often surprised to learn that,”...


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Sustainability from the ground up Building a sustainable home means choosing the right materials - since a home is only as sustainable as its construction and the components on which it runs. If you're familiar with Clarum Homes, you know we care deeply about sustainability. In fact, our core purpose is to transform the way you live by creating greater comfort, greater health, and greater environmental sustainability. Energy efficiency in every component Passive homes are, by definition, energy-efficient; to attain certification, a passive home must meet the efficiency criteria defined by the International...


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At Clarum Homes, we are passionate about environmental sustainability. However, “sustainable” is becoming a more and more widely-used word, so it is important to understand what it means and how it relates to home building. There are some important distinctions to make when navigating these classifications. The word “green,” for example, is often used to generally describe anything intended to support the health of the environment. “Sustainable,” on the other hand, is objective and very definable. Sustainable literally means “able to continue without an end in sight.” In other...


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While there is a lot to consider when building a modern home, health, energy efficiency and comfort should be high on your priority list. And although they might not immediately come to mind, air ducts are one of the greatest contributing factors. Duct work – while rarely seen or thought about after installation – can contribute to or detract from the safety and livability of your home in no small way. In fact, the US Department of Energy asserts that duct repairs could be the single most important energy improvement measure you can take. At Clarum Homes, we couldn’t agree more. Duct...


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At Clarum, we believe “home” is a place where you should feel at ease. Comfort and health are important factors in that equation, and to achieve them, you need ventilation and filtration systems that are up to the task. When a builder fails to plan for these systems properly, the results can include poor air quality, discomfort and ultimately, poor health as well. That’s why choosing the right filter is so important. To ensure that the air you breathe in your modern home is fresh, comfortable and healthy, it’s vital to select the right level of air filtration for your needs. Indoor...


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