Technology

SBC and affiliates have placed a lot of focus on building the most technologically advanced, environmentally conscious homes. Offering options of Radiant In Floor Heating and Geothermal, to Structural Insulated Panels, as well as the Select Timber, we use for our Timber Frames, we can secure a cost efficient, technologically advanced home, while maintaining a consistent awareness to our customer's desire to conserve natural resources.

Here's an example of one SBC affiliates' commitment to high quality and conservation of natural resources. Brazier Lumber Co. has been a key supplier of Douglas Fir for use in our Timber Frame Homes. According to Stephen Brazier of Brazier Lumber Co.:

"The lumber we cut comes from forest managed by the State and Federal Forest Service. The restrictions concerning logging practices today are strict and focus on those that will insure a healthy resource for generations to come. Much of the timber that we log comes from salvage or blown down timber sales due to lack of old growth being logged today. The demand is high for the log from these sales due to the quality of the fiber. Due to our focus in the premium markets today I can assure you we will continue to buy the best timber available to insure the high quality product you desire."

Radiant In Floor Heating

SBC Construction provides Radiant Floor Heating in all of our custom built homes. It is our preferred choice. You are making a financial investment in your future. Yes, the initial costs to install are more however you receive this money back you invested in the energy savings provided by this system. Think about your current heating system. Is your furnace running all the time? Are all the rooms equally warm? Are the floors in your kitchen, bath, family room, and basement cold in the wintertime? Can you place furniture anywhere without blocking your vents? Do feel at all warm and cozy? Radiant Floor Heating can solve all of these problems.

How does it work?
Radiant floor heating warms people and objects. The gentle warmth radiates upward from the concrete slab or light weight "gypcrete" floor, so it starts and stays around the people. It surrounds your family and guests with comfortable even heat. Ordinary heating systems rely on air circulation to distribute heat. Because hot air rises, the warmth migrates and accumulates near the ceiling, causing forced air systems to work overtime to heat the occupied space. The secret to Radiant is the heat is stored in the concrete and then gently released from the concrete. Radiant floor heat is more like the sun. Remember how you feel the warmth when you stand by a window on cold day and the sun is warming you and the area you are standing. Radiant floor heat does the same, it directly heats people and objects and stays in your living space. Radiant is ideal for hard-to-heat rooms with vaulted or cathedral ceilings. It also eliminates the drafts that raise dust and allergens in the air. You control the temperature in every room by having optional multiple thermostats.

Is there special heating equipment needed?
Radiant floor heat works with virtually any hot water heat source or fuel.

What type of flooring is required?
Radiant heat works with any type of flooring, even carpet.

The future of our energy resources will be very limited in just a few years. Costs for our energy to heat our homes will rise very rapidly. Radiant Flooring cuts your heating bill by 20 to 40 percent. It is durable, reliable, and efficient. You are making an investment in your future and providing the comfort for your family.

The fears of unreliability are non-existent. Wirsbo PEX tubing is installed by certified professionals. The tubing installation is a continuos loop system which means there are no breaks or connections in the concrete or gypcrete. The fear of leakage or corrosion is gone forever. You can sit back and just enjoy the warmth and comfort for a lifetime.

Structural Insulated Panels

Structural Insulated Panels are specially designed to be a superior component to your new home. SBC Construction, and affiliates, utilize these panels on it's homes due to their superior strength, insulation and durability.

Structural Insulated Panels are lightweight, easy to handle and can be pre-cut. With these panels, you can't build a "crooked wall". It just can't be done. Learn more about Structual Insulated Panel in our frequently asked questions.

What is Geothermal?

Geothermal is the ability to obtain heat from the ground using a high tech designed tubing which holds a special solution of 25% glycol and 75% water. This tubing system is buried in the ground at least 4 feet or more where the temperature is approximately 60 degrees on a consistent basis. The special solution in the tubing system is circulated by a pump and the heat is drawn from the ground into the tubing. This solution flows to the heat pump which extracts the heat. The pressure flow of the solution is increased at a very high rate at the same time a refrigeration fluid is introduced into the solution which causes a very high heat level reaction. The heat that is produced through the heat exchanger transfers to the water circulating in the Radiant Floor System in the house. The solution is now very cool and is returned to the tubing flowing back into the ground to repeat the heating process as needed.

Is this a cost effective way to heat a house?
Yes, in fact it is the most cost effective energy efficient system there is for heating and cooling.

The Tuley Home is a combined 16,000 square foot home, indoor swimming pool and barn. All are being heated by a Radiant Floor System in which the heat is provided only by the Geothermal system. It does cost more than conventional systems to install. However, the only cost to operate the system once it is installed is the electricity to run the pump and the compressor. The heat is provided by Mother Nature for free. That's right FREE.

Let me explain further with our energy study as a great example. The original yearly cost to heat the Tuley project with conventional heating sources calculated to be $25,000. Utilizing the methods we have installed with Geothermal, the cost to heat the Tuley project will be reduced to $5,000 per year. For every dollar spent on electricity to power the pump and compressor, there is a four dollar savings on heat. Port Tuley will have his investment paid for in 5 years because of this substantial savings. The savings we gained on this home are incredible due to the size. Yet, proportionally any home will achieve these savings in ratio to their size. It will also take a few years longer to regain your investment. Once again we have made this home ready for the future doing our part to save our Natural Resources.

Please keep in mind to maximize all the energy savings we have mentioned can only be realistically accomplished if you use the correct combination of products and equipment. This includes Structural Insulated Panels, Radiant Floor System with proper installation and Geothermal. Any combination of these types of systems will also create good energy savings. For more information on Geothermal, visit http://www.waterfurnace.com