House and Home
Top 10 Tips for Building Energy Efficient Homes
By Michael Tobias
A zero-energy home, which produces as much energy as it consumes, is the ultimate energy-efficient home design. Although virtually impossible for the average homeowner to achieve on their own, professional designers, architects, and engineers will help you to build a net-zero energy home or remodel an existing house to maximize its energy efficiency.
Of course, whether you are planning to build a new home or upgrade an old one, there will be legal ramifications, including a host of municipal codes and regulations that must be followed. While some might seem to constrain and may indeed restrict you in some ways, many have been designed specifically to ensure that houses are as energy efficient as possible regarding individual circumstances and local environmental conditions.
In reality, designers don’t always specify all the energy-related details and sometimes neglect to incorporate strategies to improve energy performance.
These top 10 tips, simplified for the layman, will help you recognize the steps your designer, architect, builder, and/or engineer should take when they design and build an affordable, energy-efficient, or better still, zero-energy home for you and your family.
- Start with energy modeling to achieve a net-zero energy design
Whole-building energy modeling (BEM) involves the computerized simulation of buildings, including homes, to assess potential energy consumption and the life cycle costs of all energy-related items, including heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), hot water, and lighting. It is also used to develop codes, help develop policy decisions, assess inherent performance ratings of buildings for green certification, code compliance, and so on, and ascertain which energy-saving features are the most cost-effective.
BEM takes place once the preliminary plans, including the floor plans, dimensions, elevations, the position of doors and windows, and so on, have been completed. The plans are then adjusted according to the modeling results to ensure that the building will reach its zero-energy goal at the lowest possible cost with renewable energy options such as wind turbines.
Architects use BEM when they design buildings that are energy efficient. In addition to minimizing operation energy costs, BEM programs can also help reduce up-front construction costs.
Mechanical engineers use BEM when designing HVAC systems to ensure they meet building thermal loads. BEM is also useful for designing and testing control strategies for HVAC systems and is commonly used by those offering HVAC engineering solutions.
- Ensure there is an air-tight building envelope
The building envelope is a thermal shield that protects the interior from the outside elements. It includes all parts of the house, including the walls, roof, insulation, windows, and doors, which must all be effectively sealed to improve energy efficiency. It keeps heat in, weathers out, blocks drafts, and helps ensure the construction materials resist decay.
Different air-sealing techniques and materials can be used depending on climate, budget, and which part of the building is being worked on. Ultimately, there must be a continuous air barrier along the thermal boundary of the building. The more architecturally complex the building is, the more complicated it is to ensure the building envelope is airtight.
An experienced professional will know where the thermal boundary is. For example, crawlspaces and vented attics are typically not inside conditioned spaces.
- Incorporate super-efficient insulation for the building
In addition to tightly sealing the building envelope, insulation is another key component of successful energy efficiency. It plays a critical role in ensuring zero energy in the building envelope. Additionally, the air barrier mentioned above and the insulation must always be in the same plane.
Architects can choose framing strategies that increase building envelope insulation’s efficiency and help minimize thermal bridging. Energy modeling can help designers to optimize insulation in homes and other buildings.
- Opt for renewable energy and avoid fossil fuels
Zero-energy homes use renewable energy to cut costs and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The most cost-effective option is solar photovoltaic (PV) panels connected to the electric grid.
Solar PV systems can power all the energy requirements of a home, hotel, or office building, including heating and cooling, lighting, hot water provision, and appliance running. While a remarkably cost-effective renewable energy source, solar PV panels aren’t cheap, and the needs of each building must be correctly calculated for affordability.
- Control heat loss and heat gain through doors and windows and incorporate passive heating
Doors and windows can be the biggest threat to a properly insulated building, presenting large holes from which energy can leak. But they also offer surprising cost-effective opportunities for making the building energy efficient.
Experienced builders such as those at garmanbuilders.com will often try to optimise heat loss and gain through doors and windows simply by selecting products carefully, using double- or triple-glazing, locating them carefully, and ensuring that their orientation and size are appropriate for the property.
Passive heating is an important concept too. For example, in the northern hemisphere, it is good practice to design houses and other buildings with south-facing windows to reduce heating costs in winter. These same windows should be shaded in some way during summer to reduce cooling costs.
- Optimize the ventilation system to ensure constant clean, fresh air
A genuine zero-energy home will be so airtight that it will be critical for HVAC engineers to ensure a continuous source of fresh air filtered through the system. On the upside, this will ensure that the home is more comfortable and much healthier than homes where this kind of attention to air quality has been ignored.
The same concept applies to large buildings, where ventilation systems should be designed to ensure that air quality is reliable and germs won’t spread through the building. Effective air filtration and purification are also paramount, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Install heating and cooling systems that meet net-zero goals
Heating and cooling systems are generally expensive, and they have the potential to gobble energy, so for a house or larger building to be net-zero or even just highly energy-efficient, these systems need to be carefully designed.
Many engineers opt for air-source heat pumps without ducts. Also known as mini-split heat pumps, they don’t have the recognized shortcomings of central air-conditioning systems that rely on forced air or the much higher costs of thermal heat pumps. However, before deciding, you should check out different sizes to pick the right heat pump size for your home.
- Opt for an energy-efficient hot-water system
Nobody can do without a hot-water system in their home, and, like space heating and cooling systems, they can use a lot of energy, especially if they haven’t kept up with their maintenance for water heaters.
There are various water heaters, including solar and heat pump water heaters. Both are considerably more energy-efficient than standard water heaters. A plumber or mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineer will advise the best type for your home or building and how best to keep up with maintaining a water heater. They will also advise on the best location for the heater.
- Choose lighting systems and components that are energy efficient
Even though designers and architects can make the most of natural lighting opportunities, every indoor environment needs artificial lighting. The most efficient light source, which is also the longest-lasting, is light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
- Use appliances and electronic devices that are highly energy efficient
A feature of zero-energy homes and larger buildings is their energy-efficient shells and thermal envelopes. They incorporate high-efficiency HVAC systems and energy-efficient water heating and lighting. Heating and cooling systems are also highly energy efficient.
Now the home or building owner needs to step up and ensure that appliances and electronic devices are energy efficient. It isn’t difficult!
Yeah this can help you save money and improve your home’s efficiency. You can reduce your home’s energy use through better planning, simple design tips, and effective home insulation.
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I completely agree with the point made in this article about the importance of new energy-efficient appliances. But I also need to add that even if you have high-efficient appliances like Energy Star air conditioners, you need to remember about regular AC maintenance. Otherwise, it won’t bring good results.
That’s a good point!
It’s vital to routinely change the AC filters, drain the lines, clean the coils, and perform other related tasks. Regular maintenance on your AC unit is important for not only preventing increased energy consumption but potential AC repairs down the road.
If you have a swimming pool, use variable speed pool pumps for it to reduce energy consumption. Unlike single-speed pumps, which operate at a fixed speed and consume a constant amount of energy, variable speed pumps can adjust their motor speed to match the specific needs of a pool at any given time. This means that they can operate at a lower speed when less water flow is required, reducing energy consumption and cost.
As for energy-efficient water heating options, consider a tankless water heater. Using a tankless water heater, which heats the water only when you use it, saves energy that otherwise would’ve been wasted on keeping a large tank of water hot. The US Department of Energy states that tankless water heaters save you money because they “don’t produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters.”
When it comes to insulation, many people forget such a thing as https://servicetoday247.com/blog/how-to-install-water-heater-insulation/. Insulating your water heater can improve energy efficiency and result in some monthly savings. In fact, Energy.gov estimates you could save as much as 16% in water heating costs, and many pre-cut insulating materials aren’t more than $20.
Let me add one more thing related to home insulation. If you have a central air conditioning system, remember to inspect your ductwork for leaks and eliminate them when needed. Leaky ducts can cause a decline of up to 40% in your home’s heating and cooling efficiency.
Here’s how you can tell if your ductwork is leaking: https://www.sandersandjohnson.com/blog/dont-let-leaky-ducts-cost-you-this-summer/.
Also, consider upgrading to a high-SEER air conditioner. It brings energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and reduced carbon footprint. Overall, these models provide a more sustainable and comfortable home environment.
Before buying an AC, please remember to check new efficiency standards for HVAC systems in 2023 — these changes are legally effective from January 1 this year.
Yeah, a proper home insulation work wonders. By the way, if you get your hot water from a hot water storage tank, you also need to insulate it for winter. Insulation with an R-value of at least 24 is preferable. This could reduce heat loss by up to 45% and save you around 10% in water heating costs.
Also, consider smart thermostat installation to make your home more energy-efficient. While installing a smart thermostat costs more than a mechanical thermostat, the benefits it provides are well worth it. Smart thermostats save you money and keep your air conditioner efficient. According to real-world data gathered by the Environmental Protection Agency, smart thermostats that meet Energy Star criteria save users an average of 8 percent on their utility bills.
Tankless water heaters are also worth considering if you opt for an energy-efficient option. The US Department of Energy states that tankless water heaters save you money because they “don’t produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters.”
Find out about all the benefits of tankless water heaters: https://acehomeco.com/benefits-of-tankless-water-heaters/.
That’s right, the upfront cost of installing solar panels might be high. However, with solar tax credits and other solar Incentives, homeowners and businesses can receive a significant reduction in the cost of installation.
When constructing energy-efficient homes, incorporating sustainable practices is paramount. Begin by optimizing insulation, selecting energy-efficient windows, and utilizing smart thermostats. Employ LED lighting and Energy Star-rated appliances to reduce electricity consumption. Integrate advanced HVAC systems and invest in monocrystalline solar panels for clean, renewable energy. Implementing these top 10 tips ensures a green, cost-effective home, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Indeed, installing super-efficient heating and cooling systems is a great idea. However, it’s important to note that these might be expensive for some. Therefore, I want to add that even if you have a conventional HVAC system, actions such as regularly replacing air filters, and keeping the system clean and well-maintained, can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your system. Conversely, a super-efficient system that is not maintained properly might not perform as well as intended.