Tag: energy efficient new homes

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Questions and Answers about Caulking and Weatherstripping Your Home

Reviewed and Revised on 10/10/2013 

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In a well-insulated home, air leaks are the greatest cause of wasted heating and cooling energy. Caulking and weatherstripping are effective ways to rid your home of costly drafts.

Questions and Answers about Caulking and Weatherstripping Your Home

In a well-insulated home, air leaks are the greatest cause of wasted heating and cooling energy. Caulking and weatherstripping are effective ways to rid your home of costly drafts. Keep in mind that heat always moves toward …

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Using Greywater for Home Gardening

Reviewed and Revised on 10/17/2013

What is greywater and how can it be used?

Greywater is the domestic wastewater from all sources except the toilets. As per the EPA wastewater sources can include water from:

  • laundry

  • shower/bath

  • washing machines

  • dishwasher

  • kitchen sinks

Greywater can be used for home gardening and landscape irrigation. This can have two major benefits.

  • It reduces the need for fresh water and hence is a great way to conserve water as well as energy. Large amounts

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Questions and Answers about Energy Efficient Home Heating Systems for a Warm Climate

Reviewed and Revised on 10/15/2013

The following terminology can help one understand the energy efficiency of common Home Heating Systems.

Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)

The efficiency of a gas (natural or propane) or oil furnace or boiler is measured in terms of its Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which describes the heat produced from the energy used. This rating takes into consideration various losses that may be involved such as from pilot lights, heat out of the exhaust stack, …

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Questions and Answers about Energy Efficient Home Ductwork Systems

Reviewed and Revised on 10/15/2013

How does a duct system work?

Air distribution systems, or duct systems, are designed to supply rooms with air that is “conditioned”—that is, heated or cooled by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment—and to recirculate or return the same volume of air back to the HVAC equipment. Your duct system has two main air transfer systems, supply and return. The supply side delivers the conditioned air to the home through individual room registers. …

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Questions and Answers about Shading Your Home for Energy Efficiency

Reviewed and Revised on 10/17/2013

In hot, humid climates, home designs should aim to reduce summer heat gain as the first priority. Walls facing east and west receive the greatest amount of heat, because they receive the direct morning and afternoon sunlight. Some of that heat is transferred (through conduction, convection, and radiation) into the home, which means your air conditioner has to operate longer and harder. It’s much more energy efficient to stop the heat from entering your home

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Questions and Answers about Radiant Barriers for Energy Efficient Homes

Reviewed and Revised on 10/31/2013

A radiant barrier (sometimes called radiant heat barrier) is a layer of metallic foil, reflective paint or any other reflective material which can effectively block the “radiation” form of heat. Aluminium foil is the most commonly used radiant barrier in attics in homes. The purpose of installing a radiant barrier is to reduce heat gain for a home especially during hot weather, and cut down on energy bills while increasing the home comfort.

What is …

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Questions and Answers about Home Insulation

Reviewed and Revised on 11/13/2013 

 

Photo of Batt insulation

Properly insulating your home will not only help reduce your heating and cooling costs, but also make your home more comfortable.

How does insulation reduce heat transfer?

Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow per square foot of cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of heat transfer. Heat transfer is accomplished by conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the …

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Understanding Dissimilarities in Different Kinds of Homes: Mobile, Manufactured, Modular, and Factory-built, for Home Energy Efficiency

Reviewed and Revised on 01/03/2014

All kinds of homes- mobile, manufactured, modular, and factory-built, are built in a factory. The difference lies in how much construction occurs at the factory and how much assembly occurs at the actual home site. When more work is done at the factory, less labor and work is needed at the home location. Energy efficiency issues and solutions for all these homes could be similar or vary depending upon the construction process and other issues. …

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