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E-Space Comparisons |
Cost Comparison
We are often asked how much extra an E-Space dwelling will cost.
The question itself implies the belief that Green should cost more .than
conventional (Brown) construction. In fact, Green deserves to cost more but it
actually costs less.
If one is satisfied with the amount of energy wasted and the fact that a
conventionally built dwelling will cost more to heat and/or cool for the life of the
structure, then this is the type of building one should construct. By using state-
of-the-are energy efficient components that potentially cost a few dollars more
than ‘brown’ materials, an E-Space structure automatically exceeds the
performance standard of brown and it is automatically more energy efficient. If
the Green materials are slightly more costly, construction time saved and the
fact that no material is wasted offsets the difference in one time construction
material costs.
If a structure is designed for maximum efficiency, it will take fewer solar panels to
produce the electricity to run appliances that can be reduced in size (and cost)
to achieve the optimum level of performance. Any additional electricity
produced can be sold to the power utility.
Production of clean air and water along with the elimination of volatile organic
compounds and electronic radiation makes the home a healthy environment and
so medical bills are very apt to be less for all family members. Quality of life
issues are very difficult to quantify but it is a market fact that Green homes sell
more quickly and for a greater price than Brown ones.
If the homeowner’s objective is to achieve optimum energy performance for the
life of the building, then it will cost approximately 30% more to bring a Brown
structure up to the same performance level as an E-Space home. Therefore,
properly designed and utilized green components can cost significantly less than
conventional materials assembled in an outdated method. Quality of life issues
are a bonus.
Hidden Cost Considerations
Some “stick built” building costs are not obvious. Please consider the following:
Waste
Steve Thomas, former host of “This Old House” estimates that 30% of all
building material delivered to the jobsite ends up in dumpsters as waste. The
owner pays for 100% of all material delivered and for the charges of hauling the
waste to the landfill.
a) Because of the necessity of putting the roof on last (it is supported by stick
built walls), every time it rains or snows, all constructed floors and walls are
soaked. When wood is soaked, it warps. When drywall is soaked it is ruined.
b) All materials must be cut to fit and nailed in place. Labor is expensive and
cut off material is thrown in the dumpster.
Insulation
With stick built 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 stud walls, the only place for insulation is between
the vertical studs. The net effect is that at least 25% of new exterior walls are
not insulated. Therefore for the life of the structure, heat is transmitted through
the structural studs causing additional heat or air conditioning expenses
FOREVER.
The Net Effect
An E-Space structure is completely insulated. There are no stud walls to
transmit heat in or out of the building.
Because the structure is a space frame, the roof is installed FIRST, thereby
preventing weather damage. Since the ESIP wall panels are so quickly installed,
the structure can be weather tight and warm in a matter of a few days thereby
allowing plumbers and electricians to work in comfort and safety.
All structural materials arrive on the jobsite already sized for assembly thereby
eliminating waste. The site is clean and safe.
Finally, the question is often asked how an E-Space structure compares to a
conventional stick built home. The issue is one of “apples and oranges”. The E-
Space system delivers so many added benefits that are out of range of the
conventional stick built structure that it is difficult to compare the two. However,
it has been calculated that if a stick built home were upgraded to match the
features inherent in an E-Space home, it would cost approximately 30% to
upgrade stick built to E-Space performance standards.
We are often asked how much extra an E-Space dwelling will cost.
The question itself implies the belief that Green should cost more .than
conventional (Brown) construction. In fact, Green deserves to cost more but it
actually costs less.
If one is satisfied with the amount of energy wasted and the fact that a
conventionally built dwelling will cost more to heat and/or cool for the life of the
structure, then this is the type of building one should construct. By using state-
of-the-are energy efficient components that potentially cost a few dollars more
than ‘brown’ materials, an E-Space structure automatically exceeds the
performance standard of brown and it is automatically more energy efficient. If
the Green materials are slightly more costly, construction time saved and the
fact that no material is wasted offsets the difference in one time construction
material costs.
If a structure is designed for maximum efficiency, it will take fewer solar panels to
produce the electricity to run appliances that can be reduced in size (and cost)
to achieve the optimum level of performance. Any additional electricity
produced can be sold to the power utility.
Production of clean air and water along with the elimination of volatile organic
compounds and electronic radiation makes the home a healthy environment and
so medical bills are very apt to be less for all family members. Quality of life
issues are very difficult to quantify but it is a market fact that Green homes sell
more quickly and for a greater price than Brown ones.
If the homeowner’s objective is to achieve optimum energy performance for the
life of the building, then it will cost approximately 30% more to bring a Brown
structure up to the same performance level as an E-Space home. Therefore,
properly designed and utilized green components can cost significantly less than
conventional materials assembled in an outdated method. Quality of life issues
are a bonus.
Hidden Cost Considerations
Some “stick built” building costs are not obvious. Please consider the following:
Waste
Steve Thomas, former host of “This Old House” estimates that 30% of all
building material delivered to the jobsite ends up in dumpsters as waste. The
owner pays for 100% of all material delivered and for the charges of hauling the
waste to the landfill.
a) Because of the necessity of putting the roof on last (it is supported by stick
built walls), every time it rains or snows, all constructed floors and walls are
soaked. When wood is soaked, it warps. When drywall is soaked it is ruined.
b) All materials must be cut to fit and nailed in place. Labor is expensive and
cut off material is thrown in the dumpster.
Insulation
With stick built 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 stud walls, the only place for insulation is between
the vertical studs. The net effect is that at least 25% of new exterior walls are
not insulated. Therefore for the life of the structure, heat is transmitted through
the structural studs causing additional heat or air conditioning expenses
FOREVER.
The Net Effect
An E-Space structure is completely insulated. There are no stud walls to
transmit heat in or out of the building.
Because the structure is a space frame, the roof is installed FIRST, thereby
preventing weather damage. Since the ESIP wall panels are so quickly installed,
the structure can be weather tight and warm in a matter of a few days thereby
allowing plumbers and electricians to work in comfort and safety.
All structural materials arrive on the jobsite already sized for assembly thereby
eliminating waste. The site is clean and safe.
Finally, the question is often asked how an E-Space structure compares to a
conventional stick built home. The issue is one of “apples and oranges”. The E-
Space system delivers so many added benefits that are out of range of the
conventional stick built structure that it is difficult to compare the two. However,
it has been calculated that if a stick built home were upgraded to match the
features inherent in an E-Space home, it would cost approximately 30% to
upgrade stick built to E-Space performance standards.