Checklist of a House’s Energy Efficient Factors
When you plan the building of an energy efficient house, pay attention especially to the following points:Make a house that corresponds to your family’s needs
- Surplus square and cubic metres increase building costs and energy consumption.
- But take into account your family’s future needs and the adaptability of the house.
Insulate the house better than as required by regulations
- Pay attention to upper foundations, walls and lower foundations’ heating insulation.
- Additional insulation costs at the construction phase are small – but installing additional insulation later is always more difficult and more expensive.
Use energy efficient windows for the house
- Windows are the weakest point in terms of heating insulation.
- The energy efficiency of windows is easy to compare using the energy classification. (see link)
Make the house airproof and ensure sufficient ventilation
- In a well-built house air does not circulate through the structure but is controlled mechanically by incoming and outgoing ventilation.
- Airproofing can be accomplished by good planning and careful construction without significant costs.
Use a ventilation system that is equipped with good heat retention
- A heat recovery unit stores the heat from warm air taken out of the house and heats fresh outdoor air that is brought into the house.
- Compare the annual efficiency of a heat recovery unit – in a good one it is over 60%.
Pay attention to the energy efficiency of lights and electrical devices (household appliances, entertainment electronics)
- Choose lights that use small fluorescent bulbs
- Pointless lighting can be reduced using motion sensing and dusk-to-dawn switches.
- Choose nothing less than class A household appliances
- Compare the energy consumption of entertainment electronics when buying them.
