[Greenbuilding] energy efficiency and renovations

[Corwyn]

On Mar 24, 2008, at 11:44, LoDolce, Amelia wrote:

> If you were doing a serious renovation, what are the top 5 things you
> would do to maximize a home's energy efficiency?

1. Insulation:  I wouldn't put anything less than R-40, everywhere in 
anything new I built.  I have areas less than that, and regret all of 
them.  If the basement is heated space, insulate the outside of the 
foundation, otherwise the basement ceiling.

2. Air sealing.  Get a blower door test done and seal it up tight as 
you can.  If you get it tight enough, get a heat retaining ventilator, 
or an earth tube.

3. Good windows and doors (windows: South U-factor .23 or less, SHGC 
.56 or more
Other directions: U-factor .18 or less, SHGC .40 or more,  Doors 
R-value, as high as possible, at least R-13)

4. Small perimeter.  That means both small and compact.

5. Lots of south windows (appropriately shaded for your climate) few 
windows (but not no windows) on the other sides.  If you get too warm 
in the daytime (but not hot at night), add some thermal mass.

------

You don't need to worry about a programmable thermostat, if your losses 
are low enough.  My house doesn't cool off enough overnight to make 
programmable thermostat even work.

A clothes line works great.  Even if you put a load up in the morning 
on the way out, and bring it in at night.  For those times when you 
need a dryer (towels, pillows, 3 weeks of rain, etc.) go to a 
laundromat.

If you seal the air leaks, there is no need to make the attic double 
the R-value of the walls.  However, see rule 1, if there is room, 
insulate it.

No garbage disposal.

Create a way to visualize your energy usage, and make sure all 
household members see it every day.

CFLs.

Don't believe everything EnergyStar tells you.  Buy the appliances 
which minimize life cycle costs.


Thank You Kindly,

Corwyn

-- 
Corwyn
Kermit didn't know the half of it...
http://www.greenfret.com/
corwyn at greenfret.com