Energy efficiency / Guides

...energy. With a conventional boiler: This is a clean burn and it emits very few particles. However, overall efficiency is between 50 and 80%, much lower than a condensing boiler. Both types of boilers are compatible with hydronic heating systems. Gas fireplace: A gas fireplace is a relatively efficient way to heat...

...energy efficiency: Any way you slice it, the deck is stacked against skylights in terms of their energy performance . They will add a little bit of heat on sunny days in winter (with the right orientation and angle), but the heat they lose when the sun is down will far outweigh any heat they gain. The real heat gai...

...energy: A lot of us grew up watching our parents turn thermostats down for the day and back up when returning home in the evening. This saved energy for one main reason - older houses weren't built anywhere close to the energy-efficiency standards of today, so maintaining a lower constant temperature during the day d...

...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 that was both environmentally responsible and local. Also, wood pellets are an inexpensive way to heat a home. We are also fortunate in Quebec to have an abundant source of clean and renewable energy, so along with the pellet stove the house has an electric furnace, though its intention is primarily as a ...

...energy efficiency, better drying capabilities and protects the air barrier from the assault it would normally receive from wiring and other penetrations when we rely on an interior polyethylene as an air and vapour barrier. See our pages on vapour and air movement & the difference between air & vapor barriers to get a ...

...energy efficiency and how to reduce the carbon footprint of homes on the following pages and in the EcoHome Green Building Guide . Home Heating - How to Design a Home for Thermal Comfort and Efficiency Electric Home Heating - Which Types are Best? Best Energy Saving Tips for Green Homes - 10 Tips ...

...energy, money & carbon footprint of homes with renewable energy. Find other articles & information on renewable energy systems here : Solar air heated radiant floor form kits for Passive House, LEED & Zero Net Energy Homes How Heat Pumps work in Passive House, LEED & Zero Energy Homes Heat Pumps: Gr...

...energy performance. What is a low carbon home? Every building has its own ‘embodied energy’ or ‘embodied carbon’, and that refers to the carbon released during material extraction, manufacturing and shipping of building materials in the beginning, as well as the energy required to heat and power it for the entirety...

...energy of a material and give it additional credibility in the green building world. For example, steel can score points in the LEED rating system because it contains high percentages of recycled content. That said, steel manufacturing, even with high levels of recycled content, remains one of the most energy intensive...

...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...