Concrete Wall Cuts Air Infiltration

One of the extra steps in energy efficiency beyond increased insulation and high energy-efficiency equipment for HVAC needs is a different type of wall system.

Dominion Building Group of Virginia Beach, VA., builds homes with superinsulated Polysteel concrete exterior walls.  This type of wall construction raises the effective R-value, significantly increases the walls thermal mass and decreases air infiltration into the house.

Andrew Joseph, vice president of Dominion, says his company recognizes that air infiltration is an important factor in energy-efficient building.  So, company employees seal the top plates of interior load-bearing and partition walls.

When recessed cans are used, Domino upgrades the specification to include the use of an airtight can.

Dominion evaluates ductwork and mechanical units.  Because every Dominion home differs, each home must have an energy evaluation.

Each systems' cost-effectiveness also is evaluated.  Joseph says his company generally places more emphasis on the life-cycle costs of a particular structure than on the initial costs.  This is especially true in the company's truly custom homes.

Dominion spends a significant amount of time educating and assisting its clients in energy efficiency so they can jointly decide on the systems that fit their lifestyles, current budgets and projected life-cycle costs.

The exterior of the house in this year's EnergyValue Housing Award was designed to require little maintenance.  The use of concrete was maximized.  A synthetic stucco system was used over the exterior of the home, adding another 3/4-inch insulation to the concrete walls.

Credit: Professional Builder.  February 1998.