Category: energy efficiency

Home-building technology has come a long way over the last several decades. One of the biggest improvements introduced during this time is total envelope airtightness. It’s not a new idea; for as long as humans have been building homes, we’ve been trying to reduce drafts. But until recently we didn’t yet have the technology needed to make this a complete reality. Fortunately, some of the emerging technologies in airtight construction have helped to make modern homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Not only are these high performance homes more comfortable, they also...


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When it comes to modern home construction, you have an incredible array of options for bringing high-performance (and high efficiency) to your project – making your custom home healthier, smarter for the environment, and a great long term investment. One such option is related to your water heater. Did you know that (according to Energy Star) about 15% of the energy consumed in a modern home goes to heating water? It’s true! Most of that hot water (37%) gets used in the shower. Your clothes washing machine is the second-biggest guzzler (26%), followed by the dishwasher, bath and sink....


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Spend any time in the home-building world, and you’ll run into the term “R-value” sooner or later. Most people know that R-value has to do with home insulation. But what does it mean? And what does it take to translate “R-value” into things that really matter: comfort, energy efficiency, a smaller carbon footprint? At Clarum Homes, it’s important to think about R-value when choosing materials for your high-performance home – but that’s not all there is to it. What’s more important than R-value? To find out, read on! What Does "R-Value" Mean? The "R" in R-value is for resistance....


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When we talk about thermal mass in the modern building movement, we’re referring to heavy building materials whose slow pace of temperature change makes them capable of storing immense amounts of energy. These sustainable building materials can play a remarkable role in your modern home: regulating indoor temperature, lowering your heating/cooling bill and enhancing your comfort. At Clarum, we consider thermal mass a powerful passive strategy to achieve superior, eco-friendly comfort. What is Thermal Mass, Scientifically? Technically, “thermal mass” describes how much energy (in joules)...


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Clarum is thrilled to announce the completion of our high-performance Menlo Park Modern Home! Smart innovation in home building High-efficiency framing. Super-insulation. Solar power. SIPS. All blended into modern beauty. (Go to our gallery to view the entire set of photos of this modern home.) This ultra-modern, two-story 2,800 square-foot home is located in a well-established Menlo Park neighborhood. And, it features all of the components of the Clarum Home passive design.  The four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home demonstrates all our standard high-performing components, including a heat-recovery...


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NOTE: This is a two-part series. Click here to read part 1. You can also download our complete Guide to High-Performance Home-building. Clarum Homes is leading the way in building high-performance custom homes that minimize the use of resources, greatly reduce harmful effects on the environment, and create healthier and more comfortable living spaces. We follow a set of best practices for high-performance insulation that you should consider – and speak about with your builder – when you’re ready to build a new custom home. Best Practices for Home Insulation Insulated Foundation It...


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For custom home construction, high-performance insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to minimize your energy use over time. And, thanks to the rapidly rising cost of energy, high-performance insulation can create a huge ROI for you and for the environment. What is High-Performance Insulation? Insulation is different from airtightness – both qualities are essential characteristics of a high quality building envelope, but both have to be achieved independently. Insulation regulates temperature by preventing thermal bridging – or the passing of heat through solid objects. With a strong...


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In this day and age, sustainability is at the top of everyone’s mind. That’s why, if you’re thinking of building a new custom home, you should be thinking high performance from the start. But like sustainability, the high performance concept extends beyond the confines of a construction project. The truth is, your yard, your gardens, and the overall landscape that cradles your house can have a huge impact on the sustainability of your custom home. And high performance landscaping can create huge benefits for more than the environment - it helps you spend less money and less effort...


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Extreme home performance may feel like a new concept, but its rapid adoption in the US and abroad means there are increasing opportunities for custom home owners to gain efficiencies and maximize home performance. The truth is, a high-performance home can slash energy consumption by up to 90% over conventional construction. Clarum is at the forefront of this shift toward high-performance design and construction methodologies. We work with families to leverage Passive House home building practices for extreme performance opportunities in their custom home building projects. And one of the single...


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If you’re thinking about building a new custom home, you’ve probably spent a lot of time weighing your options. And if you haven’t already considered high-performance home building practices, you may be surprised at how the numbers add up. The truth is, the energy and cost savings realized in a green, high performance home mean an incredible return on your initial construction investment. Energy efficiency systems that minimize your reliance on utilities, conserve water, and foster a healthy home environment can create an annual return of 7% on your high-performance home. And, according...


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