"Performalism"

Traditionalism.  Modernism. Revivalism.  Most of those words are recognizable to homeowners.  However, a new word is coming into the public’s glossary: performalism.  The “ism” denotes a design movement, but what does it exactly mean for architecture to perform?

Well, at HartmanBaldwin, we believe that homes should not just be beautiful masterpieces of design and style.  Your home should be a stunning success you would put on display - but also a tool of efficiency.  What can be more inspiring and fantastical than form meeting function, showmanship meeting utilitarian use, design meeting needs? 

So, at the end of the day, we ask ourselves: How do we know that the beautiful buildings we create are performing for us?  Are they durable, sustainable, and energy efficient?  Following the protocols outlined by Home Performance with Energy Star, a national program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE), HartmanBaldwin Design/Build presents clients with a whole-house approach to maximizing homes performance in health, comfort, and energy-efficiency.

By taking a look at the facts, we’ve learned that the building sector is the single largest contributor to global warming.  Buildings are responsible for 48% of all energy consumption and global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually.

By making a commitment to reducing the overall energy use of your home you can reduce our nation’s reliance on a dwindling supply of oil and gas.  Also, living a greener, more ethical lifestyle leads to great boons: Home Performance with Energy Star can allow you to keep your home perfectly comfortable for $0.10-$0.20 per sq. ft. per year.  It can also reduce your energy consumption by 30-60%, protect you from “green washing,” identify and eliminate health safety issues, and make a zero energy home more affordable. 

More than half of the over 66 million single-family homes in the United States were constructed before modern energy codes existed.  The solution?  Rebuild and remodel homes for maximum energy efficiency.  Homeowner Jamie McCoy of Pasadena, CA originally didn’t sign up for this retrofit, having originally contacted HartmanBaldwin to remodel her kitchen.  However, she changed her mind and signed up for a whole-house energy retrofit.  By increasing insulation, sealing the attic air-tight, replacing leaking windows, and adding a ventilation fan, Jamie was able to reduce air conditioning, cut air leakage from 13,523 cfm₅₀ to 7400 cfm₅₀, and cut her electricity bills in half. 

To find out more about making your home greener and cost-efficient, visit our website or give us a call.  We’d love to change the way you live.