Energy Conscious Home
Solar energy for home can be harvested more efficiently if energy losses are minimized. Points to consider when designing a new home or additions:
- Local home hardware suppliers hold seminars about new products and techniques. Attending those energy saving workshops are beneficial.
- Consulting Government agencies websites. For example, you might fit for ecoEnergy program (deadline is March 31, 2011). Further information at http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/grants.cfm?attr=0
- Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corp. has also incentives for families considering to buy an energy-efficient home. Reference to: http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/moloin/moloin_008.cfm
- Keep in mind that a better insulation has also the benefit of greater outside noise barrier.
- The lower the condensation inside a house, the longer the life of house construction materials. An indirect effect worth a blink!.
- Consult with local home energy analysis companies to learn more about your home weak points in terms of energy waste.
- Heat moves up due to natural convention, however the energy (heat) transfers from hot to relatively cold area, direction is not a matter.
- Basics: The resistance of a material to stop heat transfer is called Thermal Resistance; R or RSI denotes the unit of measurement. The higher the value the better insulator. The way insulations are installed, amount of moisture, and density alter the specified R value.
- Heat transfers from ceiling as well as from the floor. Some might concentrate on the best insulation on the ceiling and totally forget the heat loss through the floors.
- Orientation of the house with respect to sun and wind.
- Roof overhangs help to keep the house cool in summer time.
An article about Energy Efficient Windows can be found at our blog section:
Windows in Energy Efficiency Home Design Consideration