| l> | | | | by using 140mm studs instead of 90mm studs - |
| Choose an architect who understands low energy | | | | this will allow you more insulation. Masonry cavity |
| efficient house design | | | | walls can be improved by being filled with |
| - Be sure that builders are aware of the low | | | | polystyrene insulating foam and by using |
| energy aim of your house | | | | lightweight thermal blocks. |
| - Choose tradespeople that have both knowledge | | | | - You should have at least 250mm of loft |
| and experience in energy efficiency | | | | insulation, 100mm of insulation between the joists |
| - Remember many architects/builders don't go | | | | and 150mm of insulation laid across the top. Loft |
| beyond minimum building standards and regulations | | | | conversions require careful attention especially if |
| but minimum isn't the most efficient. | | | | dormer windows are installed but a high standard |
| Minimize Your Heat Loss: | | | | of insulation can still be achieved. |
| - Keep your house plan simple and compact - A | | | | - Heat loss from the floor varies with different |
| house that is compact and without extensions will | | | | floor types. However, ground floor insulation is |
| have less heat loss due to the reduction in the | | | | pretty easy. Generally a 125mm layer/sheet of |
| external walls and roof area. Remember that | | | | polystyrene is used this size will be increased if |
| single storey houses such as bungalows lose more | | | | installing underfloor heating to minimize heat loss. |
| heat through the roof than two or three storey | | | | - Ensure insulation overlap between elements, e.g, |
| houses where the rising heat is used throughout | | | | between the wall and loft/roof cavity |
| the levels before reaching the roof. | | | | - Ensure air gaps such as wall cavities are clear of |
| - External walls should have high level insulation | | | | debris that can bridge therefore compromising the |
| - Ensure there is good controlled ventilation and | | | | insulating air gap |
| draught-proofing | | | | - Make sure fibre insulating materials are not |
| - Your architect can provide energy calculations of | | | | compressed (packed tightly) as this will undermine |
| expected annual fuel bills | | | | its ability to properly insulate |
| Maximize Your Solar Heat Gain: | | | | - Make sure that all insulating materials are kept |
| - Build along the East West axis - An energy | | | | dry |
| efficient house will capture the free energy from | | | | - Be sure to seal all holes where services such as |
| the sun to heat your home and water. Ideally | | | | water and gas pipes enter your home |
| where possible choose a site where your house | | | | Windows And Conservatories |
| can face the sun (external blinds can prevent | | | | - You're always going to lose more heat through |
| overheating in the summer months) and be | | | | windows than through walls especially single pane |
| sheltered from prevailing winds. | | | | windows. To minimize heat lost through windows |
| - Houses in the northern hemisphere should locate | | | | 'Low-E' coated double glazing should be installed in |
| most windows on the south side with reduced | | | | all new houses. |
| window size on the north side, and vice versa for | | | | - Double glazing does not only reduce heat loss, it |
| houses in the southern hemisphere - Most | | | | also offers some sound insulation. With double |
| windows should face the sun side to benefit from | | | | glazing the two panes are generally vacuum |
| solar gains. However, some windows will have to | | | | sealed. However, you can get argon-filled units |
| be on the non-sun side to enable good daylight in | | | | (gas filled), and triple glazing which are well worth |
| all the rooms in your home. | | | | considering if you can afford them. |
| - Kitchens and breakfast rooms are mostly used | | | | - Conservatories can save you a little energy by |
| in the mornings, so for houses in the northern | | | | acting as a buffer between the adjoining wall by |
| hemisphere a south-east orientation will take | | | | trapping the heat from the sun, thereby reducing |
| advantage of the morning sun. For houses in the | | | | the heat loss from the room separated by the |
| southern hemisphere then a north-east orientation | | | | adjoining wall. To be effective, conservatories |
| will take advantage of the morning sun. | | | | should be located on the sun facing side of the |
| - Halls, stairs and bathrooms can be located on | | | | house and preferably not overshadowed by trees |
| the side that doesn't get much sun as there are | | | | or other buildings. |
| less frequently used. | | | | - Conservatories correctly placed should not |
| - Locate living rooms and main bedrooms on the | | | | require any permanent heating, but the doors that |
| sun facing side | | | | separate the house from the conservatory should |
| - In two storey houses consider having your | | | | be double glazed and shut when not in use. |
| bedrooms on the lower level (cooler for sleeping) | | | | Efficient Home Heating |
| and your living rooms on the upper level further | | | | - A well insulated house is a low energy |
| reducing your heating requirements as upstairs | | | | consuming house meaning that energy efficient |
| gets warmer | | | | house heating requirements are lower than a |
| - Use the sun's energy | | | | similar sized house which is poorly insulated. |
| - Wind Turbines can take full advantage of wind | | | | - Your heating system should take into account: |
| power generation | | | | - Fuel source and availability |
| - Heat Pumps use the sun's energy - all renewable | | | | - The time you will spend in your home - quick or |
| energy systems are complementary to an | | | | slow response systems |
| energy efficient house design | | | | - Construction material - timber framed houses |
| Install Energy Efficient Heating And Hot Water | | | | should have responsive heating, such as radiators |
| System: | | | | or air heat pumps, as the timber retains less heat |
| - Renewable energy systems | | | | than concrete, for example |
| - Solar heaters | | | | - Underfloor heating systems are not suited for |
| - Use a condensing boiler if using gas or oil | | | | houses built from lightweight construction |
| - Install easy to use controls More information on | | | | materials, like timber frame, because of their |
| these can be found at the Home Heating | | | | slower heating response |
| Systems and Solutions site. | | | | You can have hydronic underfloor heating (wet or |
| Consider Thermal Mass | | | | water based) systems combined with radiators. |
| - When thinking of an energy efficient house | | | | These are usually designed with the underfloor |
| remember that the use of certain materials will | | | | heating downstairs and radiators located upstairs. |
| also improve the 'thermal mass' of your house by | | | | Tiled solid screed floors work the best with |
| their ability to slowly absorb solar heat during the | | | | underfloor heating. If you prefer a softer floor |
| daytime and then slowly release this free heat | | | | finish rather than tiles you should consider rugs |
| through the night - The common materials used | | | | rather than fitted carpets for better heat |
| for thermal mass are: | | | | transference/output within the room. |
| - Adobe bricks (mud or earth bricks) | | | | Renewable energy systems such as heat pumps |
| - Rocks and stones | | | | and solar heating are perfectly suited for energy |
| - Concrete (preferably concrete with stone) This | | | | efficient house designs. |
| is because they have: | | | | Ventilation |
| - High specific heat - able to store a large amount | | | | - Ventilation is an important aspect not to be |
| of heat for a long period of time like the heat | | | | overlooked as it provides both fresh air and |
| bricks in a sauna | | | | removes stale air and moisture. Removing |
| - High density - basically the weight (mass) of a | | | | moisture prevents bacterial growth thus |
| material in relation to it's volume (it's size) - the | | | | maintaining a healthy living environment. |
| greater the mass per unit volume the greater the | | | | - Kitchens must have extractor fans or passive |
| density | | | | stack ventilation (PSV). PSV works using the |
| - Low thermal conductivity - slow absorption and | | | | principle of 'rising' warm air carrying stale air up |
| slow release of heat | | | | and out. |
| Thermal mass is not insulation, it is the amount of | | | | - Mechanical ventilation systems with heat |
| specific heat that can be stored in a material | | | | recovery do offer filtered air and a reduction in |
| (water has high thermal mass by being able to | | | | noise intrusion as windows can be kept closed. |
| store a lot of heat). Insulation materials have a | | | | However, unless you are using a renewable |
| lower thermal conductivity to restrict the flow | | | | power system such as photovoltaic (PV) or wind |
| and absorption of heat. | | | | turbines, then the power required to run the fans |
| Insulation | | | | rules it out as a feature for an energy efficient |
| - The percentage of heat loss from a house is | | | | house. Also, for a heat recovery system to work |
| approximately: | | | | efficiently the house must be well sealed. |
| - 42% Roof | | | | - All rooms should have trickle ventilation - allowing |
| - 12% windows | | | | air to come in at a trickle rate to provide required |
| - 12% Unblocked chimneys and draughts around | | | | room air change rate per hour (ACH). |
| doors | | | | Lighting and appliances |
| - 24% walls | | | | - These should be low energy rated |
| - 10% Floor | | | | (low-wattage) saving you money in running costs |
| So when thinking of building an energy efficient | | | | and helping the planet by reducing CO2 emissions. |
| house understand that installing insulation at the | | | | So now you can save the planet and save |
| build stage is the easiest and cheapest way of | | | | yourself running costs by building an energy |
| improving your homes energy efficiency. | | | | efficient home. |
| - You can upgrade standard timber framed walls | | | | |