Investing in insulation is a good way to reduce energy consumption in the home. The homeowner must determine where adding insulation will be most cost effective. Attics are usually the place to start, followed by floors and walls. Since there is a wide variety of material on the market, thedo-it-yourselfer must choose carefully and install them with proper regard for ventilation and vapour barriers. Even if the work is performed by a contractor, the informed homeowner will benefit by his knowledge of materials and procedures.
Factsheet focuses on some of the simplest and lowest cost measures available to both homeowners and renters for reducing heat loss. Gives basic information on methods and types of caulking and weatherstripping, including installation.
Discusses the interrelationship of home ventilation rates, sources of air contaminants, and the relative quality of the indoor air environment, including: what is an unsafe air quality level? The problem in perspective, common household pollutants, home ventilation, identification and testing.
Aims to inform on the basic principles of passive solar design and describes some passive design options. Sections include the basics of passive solar (collection, storage), and design options for the homeowner (direct gain, indirect gain, isolated gain, thermosiphon air panels, double wall envelope).
Factsheet gives information on the design of the envelope house, criticism of the envelope design, an explanation of envelope performance, special construction details, new ideas for the envelope house and economics of the envelope.
Factsheet discusses types of air-to-air heat exchangers, their advantages and disadvantages, installation details, and how to select an air-to-air heat exchanger that is appropriate. Sections include how an air-to-air heat exchanger works, materials used for partitions, installation, condensation and frost removal, controls, maintenance, selecting a heat exchanger, and how much energy will be saved.
The superinsulated home will require a slightly higher investment and considerably more care in construction. The benefits seems to outweigh by far the disadvantages, however. The superinsulated home will require a smaller heating system and w
Asks the question, is home energy conservation a good investment, and offers two approaches to economic analysis - 'payback' and 'life cycle costing', that can help to simplify the decision making process.
Factsheet on the solar greenhouse, including an introduction to the design differences between solar and traditional greenhouses, and sections on the attached solar greenhouse, the role of conservation, solar greenhouse additions: zoning, siting the solar greenhouse, design of the solar greenhouse, framing, building permits, foundation and structure, glazing, thermal mass, heat transfer, summertime operation and cost and performance.
Reports a one-day seminar addressing 'The character and control of indoor air pollution', involving experts from both the public and private sector. Summarises the problems, the pollutants involved and some possible solutions.
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