Podcast 92: Performance on a Budget

[@justinballard7242]

I've got a 1620 sqft house 2 bed 2 full bath. 12 inch thick walls with rigid foam and mineral wool in the cavities. It's on a conditioned crawlspace with the same insulation in those walls. Concrete crawlspace floors with 2 inch's of rigid foam on top. Attic is a traditional trussed attic with raised heals and plenty of venting. It's got 20 inch's of cellulose on the attic floor. The ceiling is airtight using 7/16 osb then 2 layers of 1x4 strapping for a wire chase. Then 5/8 drywall. Rheem dual fuel furnace in the crawlspace. All this for under 100 dollars a sqft. All diy except HVAC and septic

[@frankminisplitking]

Super awesome and smart conversation from both of y’all! Took many notes! Really liked the point about not accepting below your quality! As an HVAC contractor we get asked all the time, “can we go below this?” To which we answer, not if you want us! We own that warranty, and take pride in our work! And also enjoyed hearing how proper planning and choosing quality is more economical! Cant tell you how many houses (big beautiful hoses) I’ve been to that have big problems… so now they have to spend more… great job guys! Managing expects is huge!

[@a104917]

Matt convincing himself he could talk about a budget for more than 2 seconds before suggesting an overpriced product/material is adorable.

[@natebenefield738]

this 100%, lol

[@KJSvitko]

Great topic. Quality builders think about comfort and energy efficiency.

[@thebuildreview]

We need to educate our clients to understand that energy efficiency doesn't mean healthy. It's about the materials and products that we specify and the quality of our build that dictates a healthy home. Great podcast guys, some valuable points for discussion there.

[@jezza6575]

Great podcast guys…this subject is ultimately the name of the game to get new construction up to standard for energy efficiency! Thanks for all the work you guys are doing to advance this!

[@dlg5485]

I'm not a builder, but I do plan to build a custom home in the future. I haven't decided if I'm going to oversee the project myself or hire a builder, but this is helpful info either way. Durability and comfort are my #1 and #2 priorities

[@clayfenlason1240]

Topic really resonates with me. Would like to see more discussion on these issues.

[@OutNAboutWithBrad]

It would be really cool for us small fish in the pond if you did a video on for example "top 10 things you can do, above and beyond code, for minimal cost that makes the most improvement." Catchy title ey, but you get the gist.

[@DATApush3r]

20:52 "Who's excited about efficiency?" MEEEEeeee!!! 🤣

[@Charlieman.]

Thanks guys. Good insights and background to how your thinking has evolved/ methods improved.

[@beauremus]

You talk about the trade-off between spending on windows and spending on ducting. Do the newer windows have longer lifetimes or do you end up spending more in the life of the house replacing windows whereas ducting would be a one-time cost?

[@dosadoodle]

My understanding is standard American windows last 15-30 years. Poking around online, I'm seeing claims of 50-100 years for European (or comparable) windows. I found The Build Show Boston Ep. 8 ("Window Installation Pt. 1") video on this channel enlightening -- Steve Bazcek took a tour of a Schuco USA facility and they showed each step of a window's construction -- and I'd buy the 50+ years claims based on that video.

[@aaronfuchs6751]

As 2 guys from the warm south. How about techniques for us in the frigid north states that border Canada.

[@robsmith4884]

Missouri is the warm south?

[@SolidMikeP]

It amazes me all the challenges you need to consider in your area, Structurally California the Bay Area is demanding, but working about slush, ice, snow, and all the water must be intense.

[@boulderranch9503]

Hey Matt, this is Keith Stromberg in Rhode Island. Next time you come down for Build Boston or anything you should come by and take a look at unique steel building house I built still working on it so you’ll be able to see different aspects. Let me know if you’re interested. I’ve been trying to use a lot of techniques that you guys use but it’s different with the steel building.

[@bigfishoutofwater3135]

I'm excited about efficiency

[@themeltingJason]

Hey Matt, have you seen GE's new combo washer/dryer? heat pump dryer w/ 4.8 cu ft load size, regular 120v plug. Curious if you think this is the beginning of a trend, and the end of two units.

[@a104917]

They've existed in Europe and Asia for decades. It will take 83 hours to dry. Most dryers are 7+ cu ft. America will not tolerate them.

[@dont_hit_trees]

Had one. So many downsides. Would not recommend.

[@themeltingJason]

@@dont_hit_trees was it this newest GE profile model? I know others have been around. What were the downsides you experienced?

[@dont_hit_trees]

@@themeltingJason Expect 5-6 hour dry time. Which could be forgiven but the way it spin dries, (Mach 1) it ruins your clothes by burning in permanent creases. This was bought 4-5 years ago.

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Thanks guys! I bookedmarked this in my doc for building science detail in a build planned for 2025. 🙏🇨🇦 Atlantic Canada, Prince Edward Island💯👍

[@brennangraves6458]

I recently did some remediation work on my own home, on the northwestern exposure, right above the entry door area of my foyer, which was concealed by a porch soffit. VERY poorly constructed, and at the rim joist level of the framing, with zero sheathing covering the framing to the exterior. after pulling the porch ceiling for some other shoddy work to fix, I decided to spray foamed the area with a Dow Froth Pak (wear the appropriate safety gear!!!), about 20'x2', and I think I cut the air leakage to almost zero in that area by doing just that bit.

[@dosadoodle]

One issue I hear about spray foam is that it cuts the air leakage today, but in 5 years it will start cracking or pulling away from the wood in spots, making the quality from an air sealing standpoint less clear in the long term. On the other hand, many high-quality tapes available today hold tight for decades. I'm not saying you made a mistake -- I'm sure the update is a boat load better than before you added the spray foam for both air sealing and insulation and will remain better probably forever -- just that given the option, blocking and taping with a high-quality tape is preferred over spray foam for air sealing. Of course, it is also more work and potentially a greater expense, because spray foam may still be necessary for insulation in difficult spots.

[@brennangraves6458]

@@dosadoodle - It was an imperfect solution to what was a pooch-screw, builder-grade botch-job with poor access; I had to use every inch of my considerably long arms to get the gun up and into the various areas, sometimes almost blindly. Being an architect, I know I'd never allow something like this in any commercial build that I was sticking my name on, but it is what it is, a band-aid, nothing more.

[@jesinbeverly]

What’s that saying? Don’t let perfection get in the way of better. I have an 1886 house filled with better and far from perfection.

[@cindystokes8347]

BFS got me a great lumber package in every other way, but R3 Zip is $88/board special order! (I’m in the Austin area) They moved the roof sheathing to OSB to compensate and that doesn’t seem worth it.

[@toddwrenn7741]

My brother-in-law is having a house built. It’s base is ICF with stucco over foam exterior. Spray foam on the interior. I wonder how efficient it’s going to be. 10,000 sq

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

10,000 sq ft is more than a "house" 😄

[@KJSvitko]

An energy efficient home or business is more comfortable and saves money in the long run. Solar energy on your roof combined with battery storage can make people more independent from the grid and natural gas supplies. Add solar and supplemental electric heating or a heat pump for home heating.. Added insulation, triple glaze windows, energy efficient doors, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, energy efficient appliances, LED lighting, smart thermostats, solar panels combined with battery storage and a electric vehicle charger in the garage or car park. People are too focused on the short term costs and miss out on long term savings and comfort. Blower door testing and air sealing are under appreciated tools.Even if you have money to burn you should not waste it. Climate Change will impact everyone. Leave a better future for your children and grandchildren. Join in and speak up for the future of the planet.

[@dosadoodle]

> can make people more independent from the grid and natural gas supplies That is something that I think everyone can get behind, regardless of political beliefs. Build resilience to energy prices and eliminate corporate influence of one's home. Prices for solar + battery systems also continue to come down aggressively. They're already price competitive in some parts of the US (~5%, particularly parts of the SF Bay Area, LA, and Orange County). I'd bet going off-grid on energy will be economically favorable for 25% of the country by 2030, at least for those who have the cash.

[@davepetrakos475]

Hey Jake, Shhhhh! I don't want people around my employer in California to move where I live. Higher prices are already getting nuts with inflation.

[@TheJeof1000]

I don't see or hear any information about the topic... I wish you could give tips, techniques and examples using local products... how to use and where to use them the smart way...

[@myriadcorp]

Last I checked he wasn't in Kansas City. Nice to know.

[@leonkienow6830]

Why not use a SIP home? To me, this would be a high performance start. One could use Zip panel technology on the out side sheathing.

[@nicholassmith3315]

Kiss budget goodbye then.

[@2chipped]

Sips are not structural without extra engineered framing around them. A standard 4x8 sheet-goods has a requirement of (rough guesstimate) of 400 nails $7 shot with a nail gun in 2 minutes. Structural screws at $3 each and probably 20 required . The framing,electrical/plumbing crews are not used to working with it,and will add a higher bid. In my local of SE GA termites would be a nightmare to deal with. And if not detailed correctly, vapor will rot it out in 20 years.

[@sctexan5392]

What I seem to understand from this is that I can't afford a 2,000 sq. ft. house unless it' s substandard.😢

[@joedyess572]

Bugs might not like rock wool but mice sure like it

[@MegsCarpentry-lovedogs]

Rockwool is a rodent's favorite because it creates a great nest that provides warmth during cold winter nights. A way around this is to use foil-faced Rockwool and seal it shut by taping in an aluminum foil tape to secure the insulation within the studs.Dec 23, 2021, Todays Homeowner. Thanks for letting us know, I thought mice did not like the stuff.....yikes! Very important to know this !! 🙏🙏🇨🇦 👍

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

Building a "performance" house - not even Passive - is *minimum* $400psf in New England, for a super basic structure and cheap fixtures. Most good builders are $500. But the issue shouldn't be regional... Yes labor is more but it's mostly due to the insane cost of materials (insulation, Zip, plywood, etc.) I'm struggling to understand how other regions can build so much cheaper when we're all using the same stuff. As long as it costs $1MM to build a 2,000 sq ft home people will continue to build cheap inefficient junk.

[@natebenefield738]

Weird, my house build is sitting at $130/sq ft. I must be delirious

[@garyflippin1690]

I love rockwool insulation, just all of the installs I have seen here in Phoenix have been hot garbage. Piece work pays the same as fiberglass and there is no way you can carve and back cut rockwool to properly install. Not that fiberglass gets installed properly either.

[@hanjo220]

You need to separate these VLOGs into a separate series for people that want more in-depth discussions, and the rest of us can watch site coverage . PLEASE !

[@av1204]

5% more is less than a year of interest

[@ABC-wz2db]

ANY electric car is 3 times more efficient than a Prius.

[@jameshogan589]

This is probably the worst podcast I’ve seen from Matt. No substantive info, just two guys gloating over $600 sq ft millionaire client builds and using client’s kids’s health to extract more cash from them. Not cool. Not a good look.

[@flyingjeff1984]

My Tesla Model Y is anything but boring---and fuel is dirt cheap in TVA country.

[@raymondpeters9186]

Pumicecrete is by far the best building material on the planet Pumicecrete is a mixture of pumice cement and water mixed and poured into a set of reusable forms walls are poured from 12"to 24" thick pumicecrete is fireproof termite proof rust rot and mold proof non toxic and has a high R value and good sound attenuation solid poured walls means no critters can live in your walls Pumicecrete can be built for a fraction of the cost and time and pumice is one of the few building materials that can go directly from the mine to the job site ready to use without any additional possessing and zero waste Google all the walls of my house are made of pumicecrete Take care Ray

[@Shadowtech2024]

$500,000 at $300/ft is a 1666 sq ft house. Not much of a house when you are spending half a million.

[@tristanjones7735]

Matt: "You can't build for $100/sqft". Also Matt: Interviews plenty of contractors who build at $100/sqft.

[@markstipulkoski1389]

Matt's is a smooth talker. He could sell ice to an Inuit! Any other expressions that describe Matt?