Energy efficiency / Guides

...Efficiency buildings like LEED certified, Passive House, ZNE , Passive Solar, Zero Energy Homes or even Positive Energy Homes all rely on the building envelope having a high level of insulation, and a managed level of Air Transfer Rate, preferably via an HRV or ERV unit to control the energy losses from essential venti...

...energy efficiency. Heating a floor increases the temperature differential between the concrete and the ground below it, which increases the rate of heat loss. Contrary to common beliefs, heat does not rise. Warm air rises, but heat goes everywhere. You need only pick up a hot coffee in a ceramic mug to answer this qu...

...ENERGY STAR certified pool pumps specifically as they have been independently tested and certified to save energy and money. In fact, here’s what’s been proven: ENERGY STAR Certified in-ground pool pumps use up to 65% less energy than standard pool pumps and can save more than $450 a year in energy bill costs; and,...

...energy recovery in the USA is the ability to meet the ASHRAE ventilation and energy standards, while improving indoor air quality and reducing total HVAC ratings and energy requirements. ERV technology is not only an effective means of reducing energy cost and heating and cooling loads, but allows for smaller equipme...

...energy efficiency. The rate of heat loss through foundation walls also varies between below-grade and the parts above. Over a heating season, there will be much more heat loss through above-grade walls than those below. Therefore, with one wall and two rates of heat transfer, this leaves the dilemma of insulating m...

...energy efficiency; indoor air leaks waste cooling power during summer and heating power during winter - which is why using HRV and ERV systems is recommended to reduce energy loss whilst ventilating homes. When there are wildfires in the area though causing a smoky atmosphere, an airtight envelope also helps prevent th...

...energy as the entire surface area is a black collector. So, in the absence of other factors, a flat plate will produce more energy than an evacuated tube design in summer, because it has a greater amount of collector surface area, and ambient air temperature is less of a problem. Conversely, in winter, air temperatur...

...energy power storage in an innovative and more affordable manner than we are used to seeing , because they have reversed the customary actions of power generation followed by power storage in big and costly batteries. Instead, Azelio uses photovoltaic (PV) solar energy and converts it into heat in a thermal battery (...

...energy source, the sun. I also discovered the Passive House movement coming out of Europe, which looks to drastically reduce overall energy use through such things as super-insulation and extremely airtight buildings. Interior design concepts: For any of you who are considering building a custom home, I would recom...

...Efficiency (15 points) The goal of this category is to reduce the overall consumption of water inside the home and out. Points are earned for water conscious home design including efficient appliances, fixtures and fittings; and reducing outdoor irrigation needs through rain water collection and water recycling. En...

...energy collection A successful strategy to power a home with solar energy begins like the water system, with the core principle of first reducing demand. To that end, the appliances and systems of this house were designed and chosen for their reduced operational demand of energy. On the roof are eight photovoltaic ...