Tips & Techniques: Energy Checklist For Homes July 6, 2008 All RenovatorsProducts & ServicesKnowledge BaseThe Forums How to clean rain lamp... Member Sign In|Company Sign In Energy Checklist For Homes MSU Extension What's in this article more detail Introduction Site House Design Construction and Insulation Heating and Cooling System Color and Lighting For more information Return to the Knowledge Base There are many features about a home that make a difference in the amount of energy needed for heating, cooling and lighting. Thus, these features can have a major impact on the amount of money you devote to maintaining the winter and summer comfort of occupants. This checklist will help you evaluate the energy-saving potential of various housing features. Housing features to consider include: Site; House Design; Construction and Insulation; Heating and Cooling System; Color and Lighting. Site House is located on south or southwest slope of hill (sun hits at angle so greatest solar heat is received through south windows in winter). House is protected from winter wind by a hill or placement of garage/carport (air infiltration and heat loss are reduced when wind velocity is lower) House is built into a hillside or partially into the ground (the relatively constant year-round ground temperature reduces winter heat loss through below-grade walls and provides a cooling effect during summer). The long axis of the house runs east and west (allows more windows on the south to take advantage of winter sun, and south windows can be protected from summer sun by awnings, roof overhang, trees). Large deciduous shade trees are planted on south and west side of house (to provide summer shade during the hottest part of the day, but allow winter sun to heat house) Low evergreen trees and shrubs or a slatted fence are placed on side of house exposed to winter winds (to provide a wind break and reduce air infiltration,; avoid high evergreens on southeast, south and southwest as they block winter sun from house). House Design Main roof ridge runs east and west (for better summer cooling and to provide a more desirable location for a solar heat collector in the future). Shape of house is a slight rectangle (long rectangles L-shapes H-shapes T-shapes and U-shapes provide more outside wall surface for heatloss). Entry halls for front and back doors can be closed off to form "vestibules" (thus reducing flow of cold air to inside and warm air to outside). Main living area, where the living room, family room, dining room and kitchen are located, has as few partitions as possible (for best heat distribution). Bedroom wing can be closed off (so heating and air- conditioning can be reduced when not needed during the day). South windows have an overhang or awning deciduous trees or vines (to shade from summer sun but allow winter sun into the house).  << Previous Page  Viewing Page 1 of 4 Next Page >>    Ads by Google   Members:  Sign In  |  Register  |  Benefits  |  Feedback  |  Tell-a-Friend  |  Help   Companies:  Sign In  |  Account Manager  |  Promote Your Company  |  Register  |  Help Copyright ©2008 by Renovators, a TB Systems company. All rights reserved. Privacy policy.