Inside the House
Thoroughly seal all penetrations under the floors. Clifton asked the audience where the biggest hole in the building envelope typically is located; no one gave the correct answer: under the bathtub.

Also, fill holes around masonry fireplaces and any other obvious openings. Likewise, insulate all hot-water pipes and add more insulation under the floors, up to R-38, if there is room.

Finally, caulk all penetrations in the ceilings and attic, around recessed can lights, light boxes, and other protrusions, and use spray-foam insulation on the underside of the roof deck. If you’re re-roofing, Clifton recommended installing Insul-Lam panels on top of the roof deck as an alternative to spray foam inside the attic.

Step 4: Finish It Right
HVAC Equipment Considerations
Because of all the improvements, Clifton told conference attendees they may need to downsize the home’s HVAC system. He urged pros not to install systems that employ fossil fuels because the future supply of oil and gas is in question, and to incorporate high-efficiency heat pumps if the ducts are in good shape.

If the ducts are in poor condition or don’t exist, consider a ductless mini-split heat pump system. “It’s a little more efficient than a ducted system, plus you have energy control for each room,” he said, noting the homeowner can shut off the heating and air conditioning to rooms not in use.

Clifton, who has built new homes with photovoltaics, also recommended for remodeling projects ground-source heat pumps, which when combined with a solar hot water heater, could reduce utility bills by 87%. But he noted that the whole-house systems, which use the earth as a source of heat in the winter and as a coolant in the summer, are very expensive to install.

Appliance Factors
Appliances account for 15% to 20% of a home’s total energy consumption, so Clifton urged pros to install Energy Star-rated products at minimum. Nevertheless, he said, “just because it’s Energy Star, don’t stop there,” noting that there are many models that are much more efficient.

In closing, Clifton said that if pros follow his advice, their remodeled homes will be 80% to 90% more efficient than typical houses built to code in the 1960s.

For a free download of Clifton’s heating cost calculator, visit his Web site, www.zero-energyplans.com, which sells house plans that are near-zero or zero-energy.