How we consume energy is affected by many aspects of our lives – how we travel, where we live, and what we eat, in addition to how we build our homes. Our Federal Government may soon be funding research into better ways to accomplish energy conservation, and supporting practical applications of technology available today. Home construction is an important element in this mix, and we are sharing some of our thoughts and experience here. With this memo comes our commitment to helping our clients be aware of new opportunities in technology and funding, and incorporating energy savings into the houses we design.

Many of our clients have asked about energy conservation. Goals often combine a desire for a greener, leaner “footprint” on the environment, and reduction in annual expenses.
There are two approaches to energy conservation. One is to find alternative sources of energy – clean energy – that do not harm the environment. The other is to use less. The most successful strategies combine these two approaches.

In 2007 we incorporated a 5.5 KW, 24 panel solar electric system on a new 3,800 sq. ft. house. The system supplies approximately half of the house’s need for electricity. The house is designed with full air conditioning capacity that is used rarely and only in July and August. The solar electric system cost $45,000 to install, and the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund subsidized roughly half the cost, leaving a net cost to the owner of $23,000. In addition, the Federal Government also provided a $2,000 tax rebate on the installation. The energy cost savings produced a favorable return on investment, and the project solar installation was built as designed.

Unfortunately, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund subsidy has been replaced by a lease program which is only available to households with modest income. A recent discussion with the same vendor for a similar sized house resulted in an estimate approaching $100,000 for a 12.5 KW system, which would be designed to cover the house’s full power requirements. The client may be eligible for a 30% Federal tax credit. Estimated annual savings on electrical expense were not great enough to warrant the initial investment, and the owner is hoping that other funding options will become available.

We have evaluated other systems, such as geothermal and windpower for our clients and calculated similar returns on investment. Until new funding sources become available, an owner seeking to install systems of onsite renewable energy should approach the project with care. The decision to go forward with such a system may be based not on economics but on the desire to be a leader in reducing dependence on outside forms of energy and in improving our global environment.

The paragraphs above describe alternative ways to create energy. Steps to reduce energy cost also involve using less. Fortunately there are many creative options that can be incorporated into a project that will yield significant savings in energy consumption.

1. Keep the project modest in scale. The McMansion syndrome has resulted in thousands of underused built square feet in our country, needless expense for transportation of materials, construction cost, heating & cooling, and ongoing maintenance. When listing your space needs, carefully evaluate with your architect the right balance between functional need, family comfort, and esthetic pleasure.
2. All other factors being equal, design a building with minimum exterior walls and modest allotment of windows. A square shaped plan has a more favorable ratio of exterior wall to floor area than a long thin rectangle. Heat loss and gain through a comparable area of window with insulating glass is roughly eight times that of a standard 6” insulated wall. Insulating blinds or curtains can help to reduce heat loss – especially at night.
3. Orient large windows to the south, small openings to the north. Provide eaves and overhangs over south facing windows to admit low winter sun while shielding interior from steep summer rays.
4. Consider polyurethane foam insulation rather than fiberglass batts. Spray-in foam expands on contact to fill all cracks and voids, thus reducing heat loss through air leakage.
5. Evaluate energy sources. Recently, oil or propane have been preferred for appliances and heating systems in lieu of electricity. These choices should be examined for each new project, with options for future flexibility built into the system.
6. Hot water baseboard or radiator systems offer the most efficient use of energy for heating. This may be balanced against other needs. A hot water radiant floor system provides greater comfort underfoot without visible heating elements. If air conditioning is desired, installation cost is kept to a minimum if ducts are used for both air conditioning and heating.
7. Discuss zoning your heating or cooling system with your architect. Especially for those of us with houses sized to accommodate occasional visits from extended family and friends, the ability to limit heating or air conditioning in unused areas of the house is important.
8. Review the design of your domestic hot water system with your architect. For instance, a circulating hot water system provides instant hot water at all faucets, but heat is lost through hot water constantly circulating in pipes. A non-circulating system may be satisfactory if the hot water source is centrally located near bathrooms and kitchen.
9. Select energy star appliances and lighting. Color rendering of fluorescent lighting has improved greatly in recent years, and many attractive fixtures designed for fluorescent lamping are available. LED lighting is often cited as a desirable option for its minimal use of electricity, but initial cost has prevented widespread use.
10. Analyze your fireplace use. An open fireplace flue loses more heat up the chimney than the fire adds to the room. If a fireplace is used only occasionally, then a traditional design with effective damper may be OK. If it is used often for its heat as well as esthetic value, then consider a wood burning stove or glass fronted fireplace.

If an owner wants to save operating costs by reducing energy consumption, it’s important to state this as a goal at your first meeting with your architect. And ask questions as the project develops. Often the team of architect/engineer/general contractor and subcontractor can devise creative energy saving solutions when prompted by an inquisitive client.