Comments on: GREEN BUILDING 101: Energy & Atmosphere – Keeping cool and staying warm

By: m hayman

m hayman — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:05:37 +0000

This article is interesting, but I think that the passive solar heating diagram is for the southern hemisphere. Note that it says summer sun is Oct. to Feb. and that winter is from July to May. It also says to maximize glazing on the north side. For passive solar in the northern hemisphere you need to maximize glazing on the south side.

By: francis

francis — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 16:55:55 +0000

I have just been browsing over your web site and found it very interesting. I wasn’t quite sure if you actually implemented what you recommended or whether it is more about making people more aware of what can be achieved?

I am really keen to immerse myself into fine tuning properties making them more energy efficient. Please do right back and let me know whether you deal with the actual construction side of things or whether it is more guidance advise?

Thanks

Francis

By: Gheda

Gheda — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 19:07:58 +0000

Thanks for not suggesting replacement of single paned windows. I work in preservation and it is a constant challenge to educate people that even with windows, infiltration is still the major source of heat loss.

By: Dan from Madison

Dan from Madison — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:59:13 +0000

One minor nit…it is not actually illegal to purchase air conditioners rated at less than 13 SEER. As of January 2006 manufacturers were required to make products that meet or exceed the 13 SEER requirement. Any product in the pipeline before then is perfectly acceptable to purchase. I know this because I own a heating and air conditinoing wholesaler. The sad fact of the matter is people in far north climates (such as myself in Wisconsin) got totally hosed by the legislation. The difference in cost between the old units and the new ones takes DECADES to pay off in energy savings in the cooler climates. An upgrade from 9 to 13 SEER will save you energy costs, no doubt about that. It is the rate of payoff that is important. When you only use your air conditioning three or four weeks out of the year…well, you get the drift. Those in the southern climates certainly benefit, but not in the far northern portions of the US.

By: JS

JS — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 20:00:31 +0000

Todd, great point about vapor, and the greater potential for moisture related issues (i.e., mold) in tighter homes. I think more in terms of isolation than insulation. You want to definitely create a supertight seal, so you can control flows… So, definitely, building science goes way beyond simply adding insulation.

By: Christopher P.

Christopher P. — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 18:17:24 +0000

You might make note that your passive design illustration and text come from AUSTRALIA, so that the angles and dates quoted are effective only for those southern latitudes. Perhaps you could update with an available chart and illustration for the NORTHERN hemisphere, also?

By: Inhabitat » Blog Archive » LETS TALK ABOUT INSULATION BABY

Inhabitat » Blog Archive » LETS TALK ABOUT INSULATION BABY — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:46:20 +0000

[...] Since we’ve recently discussed energy consumption and indoor air quality on Inhabitat, we figured now would be a great time to talk about insulation. Don’t run away! We realize that insulation is not a sexy subject matter. Nevertheless, insulation is crucial to your energy consumption, comfort, health, and ultimate happiness – so don’t flee just yet… [...]

By: Phila Hoopes

Phila Hoopes — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:12:14 +0000

Great information! As Peak Oil and rising energy costs make the need for green buildings steadily clearer, this kind of information becomes invaluable. Thank you!

Phila Hoopes
http://www.greensitesunited.com

By: Todd Spraggins

Todd Spraggins — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 01:25:18 +0000

You are very correct in that air leakage is one of the leading causes for energy loss in the home, however, the air barrier used to rectify the problem is also a vapor barrier and if used wrong can do more damage than good. I highly reccomend that one reads up on the proper placement of vapor barriers and their permiability before just sealing off their house. Excelent advice on the topic can be found at http://www.buildingscience.com. The guys there understand both sides of the equation and are working on new techniques to improve both the health (air quality- no mold) and the energy efficiency. Their DOE/HUD funded research has been very helpful in making my own DIY improvements more efficeint.

BTW, I love the top diagram, where did you get that from. I have a clearstory that uses the stack effect to cool our Texas home and I am always looking for sources to explain the theory. Thanks for the great series.

-Todd

By: Steve Chase

Steve Chase — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 23:40:12 +0000

Great website.

Nice to see good information. There are many new and improved materials. Sray on rigid foam is the best insulation and adds structural strength to your structure. Duck tape has a very short life. Foil back adhesive tape is the housing standard and last the life of your structure. Thank you for sharing ideas from other countries who have been fighting high energy prices much longer than the US.

By: Joe B

Joe B — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 18:43:27 +0000

Does anyone have any good links about the “pro/con sealing off structures debate” mentioned in the Make Your Building Air Tight section of this article? I live in the gulf-coast area, and to build a house that captures crosswinds seems slightly dangerous when hurricanes are commonplace.

By: Michael G. Richard

Michael G. Richard — Wed, 09 Aug 2006 18:15:02 +0000

Thanks for doing this series. Informative stuff!