Building Science
Author: Kyle Burns, Custom home builder
May 11, 2026
7 min read
What Makes a Home Energy Efficient?
Efficiency is not one product. It is a set of coordinated decisions across the envelope and systems.

A high-performance home begins with a continuous control layer: water, air, vapor, and thermal performance working together.
Insulation cannot overcome poor air sealing. Expensive equipment cannot overcome a poorly detailed envelope. The whole system matters.
What gets covered up matters most.