Energy Saving House

Building an Energy Saving House - The Factors that Need to be Considered.

No matter what we purchase, what we acquire or what we plan to build, there is always the cost factor to consider. Am I getting value for money? The same can be said when considering building an energy saving house.

Why? The reason is that it is only practical to look at the cost of energy consumption of the house once it is occupied. The extra effort and costs that are put into the design and erection of an energy saving house now will pay off in dividends in the long run. You’re not only conserving energy consumption, being more environmental friendly, but also will save more money.

But what are the factors that need to be considered when building an energy saving house? 

• The Wall and Roof Constructions.
  For so many years now builders have used the typical wood framework construction because of its proven efficiency in providing a durable and safe house. There are now new techniques of wood framing that focus on giving more insulation to the house so that less energy is consumed. These involve structural insulated panels, optimum value engineering and  insulating concrete forms.

• The Thermal Envelope.
  The thermal envelope house, also known as a double envelope house, is sometimes called a 'house within a house'. The construction principles provides protection against any environmental conditions outside the house by providing a buffer zone of solar heated, circulating air that warms the inner envelope of the house.  

• Wall Cavity Insulators.
  Proper insulation is essential when constructing an energy saving house. The better the job on the insulation, the better chance there is of saving money on your energy bill. A properly insulated energy saving house has heating in the slabs and walls protected from detrimental weather conditions and seasonal changes. Generally, insulation is inserted or pumped into the wall cavities of an energy saving house.
  

• Air/Vapor Retarders.
  In an energy saving house, an air barrier or vapour diffusion retarder attempts to combine water vapor diffusion and air movement control with one material such as polyethylene plastic sheets, builders foil or foam board insulation for example. The aim is to provide a smooth movement of air and vapor inside the house. This means that the air and vapor are being utilized when needed and eliminated when it is not necessary. In most cases, these retarders prevent the energy saving house to accumulate molds in the same as it restores moisture within the house during hot summer times, keeping humid outdoor air from entering the building cavities during the cooler season.
  

• Insulating Windows.
  Heat tends to escape your house during winter and penetrate it in great degrees during the summer.  A lot of the manufacturers of windows have designed a double-glazed feature within the window so that it will be more effective in maximizing its potential as energy saving windows. Other features include window with several coatings of glazing and windows which have low emissivity coatings. These features permit light to enter but insulates against heat radiation. Today, insulated windows and doors labelled with energy conservation ratings are available.

• Ventilation Control
  Normally, an energy saving house is securely wrapped up and therefore needs proper ventilation.  Proper ventilation with an energy saving house promotes a relaxing atmosphere and reduces “air moisture infiltration” which over a period of time can be the cause of problems to the structure of the energy saving house. Exhaust fans and ceiling fans are often mounted and installed in an energy saving house.
  

• Caulking and Weather Stripping
  These are two simple ari sealing techniques that will pay for themselves in energy savings within one year. The important things to do is to detect all air leaks and then assess your ventilation needs for indoor air quality. Caulking refers to the fastening of any air leakage so as to prevent loss and entry of heat respectively; while weatherstripping refers to the sealing of gaps in the windows and outside doors. Applying these techniques will alleviate the drafts and help your home feel warmer when it is cold outside.

• Energy Saving Appliances
  Of course, an energy saving house wouldn’t be complete and fully functional without the aid of energy saving appliances.  Generally, every appliance can be deemed as energy saving appliance if and when the user knows how to maximize its efficiency and potential in saving energy. Most appliances have energy rating labels on them to assist the consumer in deciding on which appliance will be suitable for the home.

I have listed above some of the factors to be considered when building an energy saving house. The main idea of all this energy savings hype is to remember the reason for it all. Promote green energy  wherever we can and make whatever effort is that we can make to reduce the carbon footprint made by this generation on the planet.  In other words keep in mind that energy saving should not be entirely dependent on these devices alone.  

Remember, reducing your electricity bill is equivalent to saving power, thus helping the world save power for its future generations.

Make power at home with solar and wind energy to eliminate your power bill.
Get a complete guide at Earth 4 Energy.

by  - Stephen Reeves

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