Building or Renovating: Ideas to think about

1. When orienting your house, think about the sun and seasons. Take advantage of the sun for heat and light in the winter; minimize solar heat gain in the summer.
    
2. Place more windows on the south; minimize windows on the north. Add overhangs or shading to minimize over heating on the south; Plant or keep trees on the east and west to protect form the low summer sun.
    
3. Think about the views and the street, but think about the sun too. Place active rooms on the south side, where you get light and heat during winter days. Put utility rooms and bedrooms on the north side, where you get cool and dark.
    
4. Build smaller. We really don’t need all that space. Less can be better; it costs less to build and uses less energy to heat. A great book is "The Not Too Big House" by Sarah Susanka.
    
5. Think real hard and long about how you will insulate. In most buildings today, insulation is a default decision. Nobody thinks about it and you get whatever is the architect/builder’s practice. Press for more and better. In Sweden (read cold outside) some homes are heated with just the occupants’ body temperature, appliances and lights – no furnace! Why not here?
    
6. Think about and plan to “air seal.” This is a critical step that is best performed during the construction of a home. Proper air sealing prevents air and moisture from moving into insulated cavities and condensing. It also prevents conditioned air (heated or cooled) from leaving the house and thus causing unconditioned air from entering.
    
7. Windows are a 30 or 40 or more year investment. When you build or renovate, spend as much as you can on good quality and energy efficient windows. It costs a lot of money and hassle to replace poor quality windows later, and it will probably never be done. Better to trim your budget by cutting cost on your appliances (still be sure to get energy efficient) or carpeting or wall coverings than windows; they are all easily updated with the latest products and fashion later.
    
8. Why do you need a door bell, with all the complexity and material? Perhaps a simple “knocker” will do? Think about it: no electricity and a more personal salutation!
    
9. Think about solar hot water… Solar hot water has an advantage over solar heating in that you want/need hot water in spring, summer and fall, as well as in the winter. Solar hot water has an advantage over photo voltaics in that it converts much more sun light to energy. Get up to 70-80% of your water heated by the sun. Think about it; why not?
    
10. If building or changing your water heater, think about where your water heater (solar or conventional) should be placed. The closer it is placed to point-of-use, the quicker you get hot water and the less energy you waste while the once heated cold water washes down the drain. In the past, solar and electric (heaven forbid) had few limitations on location since you don’t need to worry about a flue. Today gas, oil or propane high efficiency units vent with PVC through a side wall, which allows a lot more flexibility in placement.
     
11. Consider designing or reconfiguring your house with a family area that can be heated with a wood or pellet stove. It is very comforting to be warm and cozy when the power goes out. Yes, pellet stoves need electricity, but the little they need can be easily provide with a battery. Be sure to buy a stove (low emissions – EPA phase 2) and fuel (managed forests or waste wood) that is environmentally friendly. Remember wood fuel when managed properly is carbon neutral.

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