Our Mission

At Payne Kell, our mission is to empower individuals, businesses, and communities to embrace energy efficiency and sustainability. We provide expert consulting services for designing and constructing energy-efficient buildings, helping our clients minimize their environmental impact while maximizing energy savings.

But our commitment extends beyond energy efficiency. We believe in the power of nature to heal and restore, which is why we actively promote the growth of pollinator gardens and sustainable habitats. By integrating beautiful and functional green spaces into our projects, we create harmonious environments that support biodiversity, enhance ecological balance, and foster a connection with the natural world.

Through our comprehensive approach, we aim to create spaces that are not only energy-efficient but also ecologically responsible, contributing to a more sustainable future for both humans and the environment. Together, let’s build a world where energy efficiency and ecological harmony coexist, nurturing a brighter and greener tomorrow.

Our Services

  • New Construction

    We can manage the whole building experience. We will work with architects, designers, and other trades to guide the new build from start to finish. We specialize in extremely energy efficient homes with the healthiest indoor environmental quality.

  • Consulting & Mechanical Components Design

    Already have a builder? We can help your builder put up a better house. We can consult on current house plans to do the simple things that will make a house much more energy efficient.

  • Ratings & Certifications

    From HERS and EnergyStar to ZERH and Passive House, we specialize in guiding your project from start to finish, ensuring your home meets the highest energy efficiency standards and offers exceptional indoor environmental quality.

  • Testing & Evaluation

    Our comprehensive services include testing to pinpoint energy inefficiencies. We also harness the power of the EPA Portfolio Manager for benchmarking and energy management. Our Healthy Building Evaluations ensure your space is not only efficient but also a safe and comfortable environment for residents and occupants.

  • Sustainable Habitats

    We promote the healing power of nature through pollinator gardens and sustainable habitats, integrating green spaces that foster harmony, biodiversity, and ecological balance. Our approach ensures energy efficiency and ecological responsibility for a more sustainable future.

FAQs

  • The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is the industry standard for measuring a home’s energy efficiency. It provides a numerical score that indicates the energy performance of a home relative to a reference model.

    • The HERS Index is a scale where 100 represents the energy use of a standard new home built to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and 0 represents a net-zero energy home that produces as much energy as it consumes.

    • Lower scores signify greater energy efficiency, with each point on the HERS Index equating to approximately a 1% reduction in energy consumption.

  • Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) can dramatically lower a home’s HERS score by addressing key factors that influence energy performance like reduced air leakage, superior insulation values, thermal bridging prevention, compatibility with high efficiency HVAC systems, and reduced energy use in all climate zones.

  • The short answer: for higher energy performance and healthier, and more sustainable homes.

    The use of SIPs can decrease a home’s HERS Index score by 40-60 points, depending on factors such as the size of the home, local climate, and the quality of construction. For example, a standard new home with a HERS score of 100 could drop to 40-60 with SIP construction.

    By incorporating SIPs into a home’s design, builders can create more energy-efficient and sustainable structures but also achieve low HERS scores, making the home more cost-effective to live in as well as increase the resale value for homeowners.

    Overall, building with SIPs is an effective strategy for creating homes that are energy-efficient, durable, and sustainable. The combination of a tight building envelope, reduced construction time, and support for achieving energy efficiency certifications makes SIPs a forward-thinking solution for builders and developers. With the added benefits of improved indoor air quality and long-term cost savings, SIPs offer a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of today’s environmentally conscious market while delivering homes that prioritize performance, health, and sustainability.

Chris Kell

Chris Kell has a rich thirteen-year tenure in the Energy Efficiency industry, where he has successfully conducted over 10,000 Energy Assessments across diverse sectors such as Single Family, Multi Family, Commercial, and Government Facilities. His expertise extends to consulting on and certifying numerous new and existing construction projects, encompassing certifications such as BPI, Energy Star, LEED, HERS, Water Sense, Healthy Buildings, EPA Indoor Air Plus, IECC, and DOE Zero Energy Home.

Within the Energy Efficiency Community, Chris has earned a reputation as an influential figure. He actively contributes to a consortium dedicated to the modernization of the Arkansas Energy Code, aligning it more closely with the recommendations of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Beyond his technical contributions, Chris serves as an advocate for Green Energy Policy, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to fostering a healthier, more sustainable, and economically equitable world.

Maxine Payne

Maxine Payne, a photographer and seasoned Professor of Art for over two decades, brings a wealth of experience and a refined eye to our team. With an M.F.A from the University of Iowa and recognitions as a Fellow of the American Photography Institute and the College Art Association, Maxine's formal art education is complemented by extensive professional expertise.

Maxine's artistic background uniquely informs her role in design projects. Her technical skills, cultivated over years of photography, translate into a deep understanding of visual composition and artistic expression, enhancing the innovative and aesthetic aspects of our work.

Beyond her artistry, Maxine's expertise extends to her role as a skilled curator, drawing on her passion for collecting unique antiques and artifacts to craft personalized and distinctive spaces.

A committed advocate for sustainability, Maxine's lifelong dedication to nurturing gardens aligns seamlessly with our mission. Her keen sense of space efficiency and holistic approach to the home and its natural surroundings underscore her commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship between the built environment and nature.

Get in Touch

We’ll prepare a proposal and walk you through every step of the process.