What is a high performance home?

Faced with rising energy costs, a greater concern for the environment, and an increased focus on the comfort and health of their families, homebuyers are looking for homes that are more comfortable, healthier, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and less expensive to operate. That is why we thought it was so important to focus on building high-performance homes.

The most cost-effective way to increase housing performance has remained unchanged over the decades:

  • maximize the performance of the building envelope by adding more insulation
  • pay attention to details to increase the air-tightness
  • add a heat recovery ventilation system to improve indoor air quality.

Focusing on the building envelope and ventilation at the time of construction makes sense, as it is difficult to make changes to these systems in the future. Eastwood Homes prides itself on being the expert in energy efficiency and high-performance home building in Newfoundland.

What are the benefits?

  • Lower energy bills – lower energy consumption reduces your operating costs and helps provide protection from future increases in energy prices.

  • Healthier living – better air quality by design, including mechanical ventilation and the use of materials and finishes with lower amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), helps provide a healthier indoor environment.

  • Greater comfort – an energy-efficient building envelope will make you feel more comfortable at equivalent indoor temperatures due to reduced drafts and temperature variations in the home.

  • Reduced pollution and CO2 emissions—reduced energy use can significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

  • Natural light – making effective use of daylight can provide a more pleasing indoor environment while reducing your electricity bill. Increased resale value—many homebuyers are looking for energy-efficient homes, which can typically be sold more quickly and for more money than conventional homes.

  • Reduced noise levels – increased insulation levels and better windows can reduce sound transmission from outside.

  • Higher resilience – super insulation combined with passive solar design can maintain comfortable indoor temperatures longer than conventional homes during power outages.