by Charles Hendricks | Aug 27, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building
An energy-efficient home is a comfortable home, especially as the crisp autumn air settles in. A few simple adjustments can make a big difference in your energy bills and overall comfort this fall. Here are the top 10 things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient this fall:
- Seal Air Leaks:
One of the most effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to seal air leaks. Check for drafts around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and plumbing penetrations. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal any gaps you find. This will prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering, keeping your home more comfortable and reducing the strain on your heating system.
- Optimize Your Thermostat:
Lowering your thermostat by a few degrees can lead to significant energy savings. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you can save up to 3% on your heating bill. Consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away from home or sleeping.
- Let the Sunshine In:
Take advantage of the sun’s natural heat by opening your curtains and blinds during the day, especially on south-facing windows. This will help to warm your home naturally, reducing the need for your heating system. Close your curtains at night to help retain the heat.
- Reverse Your Ceiling Fans:
Most ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the direction of the blades. In the fall and winter, you want your fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This will push the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the room, helping to keep you warmer without turning up the thermostat.
5. Insulate Your Attic:
A well-insulated attic is crucial for preventing heat loss. If your attic is not properly insulated, you could lose a significant amount of heat through your roof. Adding or upgrading your attic insulation is a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your heating costs.
- Maintain Your Heating System:
Schedule a professional maintenance check for your heating system before the cold weather sets in. A well-maintained system operates more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills and ensuring your home stays comfortably warm. Also, be sure to change your furnace filter regularly. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and make your system work harder, wasting energy.
- Use Draft Stoppers:
Draft stoppers are an inexpensive and effective way to prevent cold air from sneaking in under your doors. You can purchase them at most home improvement stores or make your own by sewing a fabric tube and filling it with insulating material.
- Upgrade to LED Lighting:
Fall means shorter days and longer nights, which means you’ll be using your lights more often. Replace your old incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. LEDs use significantly less energy and last much longer, saving you money on both your energy bills and replacement costs.
9. Check Your Fireplace:
If you have a fireplace, make sure it’s in good working order. A poorly maintained fireplace can let warm air escape and draw cold air in. Keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use to prevent drafts.
- Lower Your Water Heater Temperature:
Most water heaters are set to a higher temperature than necessary. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit is usually sufficient for most households and can help you save a significant amount of energy.
by Charles Hendricks | Aug 8, 2025 | architecture, Charles Hendricks, citizen architect, Green Building, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect
The most important element of successful custom home building is communication. One way we do this is by sharing our knowledge of building science with contractors, educators, students, and community groups.
Recently, Beiler & Co. in Winchester, Virginia invited Charles Hendricks and Nicole Rowe to meet their team and talk about high-performance custom design. Tyler Beiler and Charles have a strong track record of projects in the past and have learned to trust and respect each other. This opportunity brought together Tyler’s team along with Southland Insulation and Gaines Group Architects to talk about lessons learned, building science, and how to deliver the highest value to our clients. This is an example, as Tyler puts it, of “iron sharpening Iron:” bringing together three excellent teams together to build each other’s knowledge base.
The presentation Charles prepared encouraged conversation about building science, how high-performance HVAC and airtight insulation provide added value to a custom home design. He also talked extensively about indoor air quality, durability, energy-efficiency, and the importance of using local building products. The concepts shared encouraged conversation as Tyler’s experienced team asked questions, added insights, and talked about their lessons learned as they build high performance custom homes in the northern Shenandoah Valley. George Dimitrew with Southland Insulators was able to add expertise about available products, solutions used by his firm, and the efficiency of different insulation strategies.
Charles frequently shares his expertise on building science with contractors, community groups, college students, and even other architectural firms. His list of recent presentations includes stops at James Madison University, University of Virginia, Construction Specifications Institute of Central Virginia, Rotary Club of Rockingham County, Half Moon Education, NEED, Massanutten Technical Center, Hollins University, Sunnyside Retirement Community, Eastern Mennonite School, Young Architect Conference, and the Department of Energy. He welcomes all invitations to talk about adding value to your home through an application of building science, helping to create a healthier, more energy-efficient, and durable future.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 31, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building, Indoor Air Quality
The Crawl Space Conundrum
We often find crawl spaces where insulation is improperly installed in the floor above, leading to significant problems. High moisture levels are a frequent culprit, causing insulation to pull away from the subfloor above, severely diminishing its effectiveness.
For optimal results, we recommend encapsulating the crawl space. This involves insulating both the walls and floor, combined with installing a robust vapor barrier. This strategy effectively manages moisture, prevents insulation degradation, and ensures your crawl space contributes positively to your home’s energy efficiency and healthy indoor air quality.
Attic — The Hidden Energy Drain
Another frequent discovery is an attic lacking sufficient insulation to meet current minimum energy code standards. This problem is often compounded by construction debris left on top of the insulation, which compresses it and drastically reduces its performance. Even if insulation is present, its quality and depth might not meet today’s code requirements.
Examples like these underscore a critical lesson: the quality of construction materials and their proper installation are paramount to achieving true energy efficiency. Investing in the right materials and ensuring correct application from the outset can prevent significant energy waste down the line.
Good, But Not Great: Room for Improvement
we do encounter insulation that is installed to a good depth for the age of the house, with proper vent baffles to keep it in place while allowing airflow. While this might seem adequate, it’s crucial to note that if it’s not airtight, it’s not performing at its peak potential. Even well-installed blown-fiber insulation can allow for air leakage, reducing its overall effectiveness.
While good depth and proper venting are essential, achieving an airtight seal between uninsulated and insulated spaces is key to maximizing insulation performance.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 18, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building, Indoor Air Quality
As summer heats up, we’re all looking for ways to stay cool and comfortable without seeing our energy bills skyrocket. The good news? Small, strategic changes around your home can make a significant difference in keeping the heat out and your wallet happy. The key is to identify and address those often-forgotten areas where your home’s insulation and air barrier might be compromised.
Attic Access Points
This is perhaps one of the most overlooked areas in many homes. Your attic access, whether it’s a pull-down stair or a scuttle hatch, functions as an exterior door. If it’s not properly sealed and insulated, it’s a direct gateway for hot, humid attic air to seep into your living spaces. Ensure it has weatherstripping around the perimeter and a thick layer of insulation on top.
Missing or Inadequate Insulation
Take a peek in your attic and crawl spaces. Are there any areas where insulation is sparse, compressed, or missing altogether? Gaps in your insulation allow heat to transfer easily into your home. Adding or topping up insulation in these areas can significantly improve your home’s thermal performance.
Hidden Air Leaks
Beyond obvious gaps, air can leak through tiny cracks around pipes, wires, and vents that penetrate your home’s exterior walls or ceiling. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal these often-invisible culprits.
By taking a proactive approach to your home’s insulation and air sealing this summer, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a cooler, more comfortable living space and more manageable energy bills here in Harrisonburg.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 7, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, community, Green Building, Harrisonburg Architect
The final phase of renovation has started at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Child Day Care Center, and there is excitement in the air. For over 50 years, the HRCDCC has been a cornerstone of the Harrisonburg community, offering licensed childcare on a sliding fee scale and ensuring quality care that is accessible to all families. This move brings them back to the heart of downtown and adds a new level of excitement and vibrance to Harrisonburg.
Historically, HRCDCC has operated out of local churches, which has been a true gift to the community. However, these shared spaces inherently limited their ability to meet growing needs, and they dreamed of having their own space. Through an amazingly successful fundraising initiative called “Dancing with the Stars of the ‘Burg,” they were able to raise funds to complete a Phase 1 renovation at 44 Federal Street in downtown Harrisonburg. Harrisonburg Construction partnered with the organization to gut and rehab an existing building, maximizing its functionality for childcare.
Phase 2 has kicked off and will bring some highly visible changes to the outside of the structure, including a new private playground. As “Dancing with the Stars of the ‘Burg” dancer’s company, Nielsen Builders, takes on this challenge, we are excited to see the changes coming. The curbs have been poured, and the strong foundation is in place for a vibrant play area. The work will also include upgraded energy-efficient windows and a new EIFS exterior. Another significant change will be the introduction of a front door that opens to the south.
by Charles Hendricks | Jul 5, 2025 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality
Building a new custom home is an exciting venture, filled with many decisions about design, finishes, efficiency, features, and function. There are many very visible elements that you will decide on through the design process. There is also one less glamorous but equally vital component that deserves your attention: air sealing. Often overlooked and forgotten, proper air sealing is a significant element in the comfort, longevity, and durability of your new home.
What is air sealing?
Air sealing is the process of closing off any gaps, cracks, and openings in your home’s “thermal envelope.” This includes the outer walls, foundation, and roof. These small imperfections, often found around outlets, lights, windows, doors, and plumbing/electrical penetrations, collectively add up to a significant potential for uncontrolled air infiltration. This could be the equivalent of leaving a 3’ x 3’ window open in an average home.
The benefits of an air sealed home
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Superior energy efficiency and lower energy bills: Air leaks allow outside air to leak in and inside conditioned air to leak out, resulting in your HVAC working harder to keep up.
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Enhanced indoor comfort: Drafts and cold spots around your house could very well be air leaks in your thermal envelope.
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Improved indoor air quality: Air leaks are sources for dust, pollen, pests, and even fumes to get into your living space.
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Effective moisture control and increased durability: Leaks allow moisture to move through your walls, which can lead to mold, rot, and pests.
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Reduced noise pollution: A tightly sealed home is quieter, keeping external sounds outside.
Make air sealing a priority in your new home
While air sealing might not be on the selection list for your new custom home, it should be part of your performance standard. We use a project manual to set the standard each new home should achieve. Building code now also requires a blower door test to show how much air leaks through your thermal envelope. That is a minimum and should be done by a third-party inspector who has calibrated their equipment within the last 12 months. While building code allows builders to self-perform this test, that may not give you the answers you need to ensure the performance you should get in your new custom home. This is one very important design element that will help protect your investment and its long-term performance, comfort, and value.
