Recently I attended a conference in Boston sponsored by The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESA). There were many workshops and lectures pertaining to energy conservation and renewable energy. Attendance this year was ten times more than in previous years. With oil topping one hundred and ten dollars a barrel recently, the time to start seriously looking at how we use energy is upon us.
Energy conservation measures addressed during the design stage require homeowners to pay upfront costs once during the construction process, and avoid paying excessive energy bills for the rest of their lives. This column focuses on energy conservation methods. Renewable energy (solar, wind etc…) will be a topic for another time. Rule of thumb; do not consider using solar or wind technology until energy conservation measures have been thoroughly addressed.
Energy Conservation measures:
- Add insulation to walls, attics and floors that exceed the amount required by the building codes. Popular insulating products listed in order of their effectiveness and price (from least to most), include high density fiberglass, cellulose and high density foam.
- Build with 2×6 wall construction instead of 2×4 wall construction. This provides a deeper cavity allowing more insulation. Whenever possible avoid unnecessary framing at corners and headers allowing more room for insulation.
- Building with double wall construction. As the name implies, two walls are built side by side maintaining a half inch space between. Two walls offer the opportunity for twice the normal amount of insulation. The space between creates a thermal break, stopping the transfer of conditioned air.
- Sealing air leaks (usually with expanding spray foams and caulk) in the building frame. This includes holes in top and bottom plates created for plumbing and wiring; the underside of bottom plates where they meet the floor; holes in the exterior shell caused by electrical wires, plumbing pipes, staging brackets etc…; cracks around window and door frames.
- Use windows and exterior doors rated high in heating, cooling and air infiltration tests. Reduce or eliminate windows on north facing walls. Orient windows and building overhangs to allow sunlight to flood the home interior in the winter while blocking the sun in summer.
- Purchase insulated covers for folding stairways. Insulate and weatherstrip attic access hatches.
- When mechanical equipment is located in an unconditioned (not heated or cooled) attic, build a platform that raises the equipment high enough to allow insulation to be installed underneath.
- Ductwork and plumbing pipes should not pass through unconditioned spaces. Always locate them within the building envelope (conditioned area). If, this is unavoidable, be certain they are properly sealed and insulated. Purchase the best insulating products available for these applications. Do not expect duct tape to last indefinitely. Use high quality foil-backed tape which resists drying and thus does not fall off.
- Always purchase appliances and other mechanical equipment that have the highest energy rating available (ENERGY STAR)
Whenever insulation, air sealing, weather-stripping and other energy conservation measures are employed, proper ventilation measures must also be applied. As a rule of thumb, whenever you insulate, ventilate. Ventilation can either be fixed, (soffit vents, ridge vents and gable vents) or mechanical (attic fans, bath fans and heat recovery ventilators).
DESIGN TIP: THE LATEST SOLAR TECHNOLOGY IS CALLED “SOLAR GLASS”. SOLAR COLLECTORS USED TO HARVEST SUNLIGHT ARE BUILT INTO THE GLAZING OF THE WINDOW, ALLOWING SEAMLESS INTERGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN.
Edward Beauchemin is president of Beauchemin Designs Inc.
He is a residential home designer and builder. Designing new homes
As well as addition to existing homes.
He can be reached at 401-766-1540