Energy Features

New homes can be amazingly more energy efficient than older homes. Better windows, better insulation, more efficient heating and cooling, zoned heating and air conditioning, radiant-heat-barrier type attic decking, and improved air infiltration for starters. These features are also effective in resisting the formation of black mold.

Solar tube ready for sheetrock

Solar tube furred-out inside attic storage room

Solar tube passing through second floor room into attic; note all air holes sealed

We get light into dark rooms with solar tubes instead of skylights. The 12″ diameter mirrored tube efficiently tunnels sunlight into an interior room with very little heat gain. The clear domes on the roof of the pictured solar tube was able to withstand a hail storm.

Solar tube brightens interior rooms with minimal energy loss

Tall ceilings can have fans, crown mold and more; note darker ceiling paint

Ambassador generally installs batted insulation its ceilings with 6″ R19 bats before sheetrock. After completion it overlays a minimum of R19, often R38 or more, layer of blown Fiberglas insulation for a combined R38 or R57 or more. This method combines the stability of the batted insulation with the ability of the blown insulation to fill all the voids between the bats.

Blown optima outside wall insulation, batted insulation at barrel attic ceiling, and sound-control interior wall insulation

Blown optima insulation on outside wall, batted insulation at ceiling, and sound-control insulation at interior wall, not concrete storm room enclosed by studs for nailing sheetrock

Insulation baffles installed at the base of the rafters to prevent thick attic insulation from sealing off the attic air flow from the soffit vents; notes hurricane clips at the base of each rafter

Solar-board decking acts as a radiant heat barrier to reduce the attic temperature. A foil veneer is added to normal roof decking and the decking is installed with the foil facing the attic. The temperature difference is noticeable during summer constriction prior to the sheetrock phase.

Insulation baffles prevent thick insulation from resting against roof decking and sealing off of air flow from eave vents

Solar-board decking installed with the foil side facing into the attic

Blown optima insulation on outside wall and vertical attic wall, batted ceiling insulation and sound-control interior wall insulation

Close-up of Tyvek house wrap with Ffortiflash tape at window and door frames, note the workmen installing a protective film over the Low E windowpaness.