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From The Ground Up 1
1. From the Ground Up
A Review of
Residential Energy Efficiency
Joseph Laquatra
Cornell University
2. Energy Use in the Residential Sector
Residential Use –
21% of
U.S. energy
consumption
(27% in NYS)
Many opportunities
to decrease this.
3. Applications of energy efficiency to a home can result
in substantial reductions in energy bills.
Comparison of energy used in an average house
in the Northeast and an energy efficient house
The energy bill in the efficient home is $1,180 less than that of the average home.
4. through the foundations walls, and upward to the surface;
downward to the deep earth;
A basement loses heat:
5. In new construction - many ways to
make foundation walls more energy
efficient.
One way :
insulate the exterior side of the
walls with rigid board insulation.
Loss through basement walls
6. Another way:
assemble foundation walls with
polystyrene forms
The forms become part of the
foundation system and insulate
the walls.
and then fill them with concrete.
7. Another way is to assemble a
foundation wall with pre-cast,
insulated concrete panels.
38. Many homeowners can do their
own caulking, weatherstripping, and
insulating.
BUT – none of these are very
effective if there are leaks in a
home.
MANY LEAKS CANNOT BE FOUND WITHOUT SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.
50. In wall cavities, heat is lost
through the wooden studs -a
thermal bridge. Also happens
through floor joists at wall
intersections.
Thermal Bridges
stud
51. Thermal break: insulating material
that prevents a structural element
from acting as a thermal bridge.
Thermal Breaks
53. After a house is sealed, the furnace or
boiler may have to be derated – it doesn’t
need to produce as much heat anymore.
Or –
upgrade to an energy efficient, sealed
combustion system.
54. Usually, insulation can be added to an attic easily.
U.S. DOE recommendation
for NYS:
R 49 - 60
55. ENERGY STAR WINDOWS, DOORS, & SKYLIGHTS HAVE THIS LABEL.
SHADED AREA OF MAP INDICATES REGION PRODUCT IS DESIGNED FOR
