Building energy efficient houses - is there a benefit? Tips + Videos

Building energy efficient homes - is there a benefit? When it comes to building their own private house, people begin to consider all possible options for projects and designs in addition to those familiar to everyone, considered standards. Most want to make their home as economical as possible in terms of electricity consumption. The ideal option in this case is to build an energy efficient house, or as it is also called "passive house".

Such structures can be of several types (from straw, domed houses) and are characterized by various features that should be taken into account by those who want to build such a house.

Concept description

Such a concept as an energy efficient home includes many characteristics that are aimed at ensuring that the home was the maximum savings in the consumption of electrical resources.

In this case, the premises of the house will always have comfortable conditions and a favorable microclimate.

The normal indicator of electrical energy consumption for a house of this type is 15 kW / h based on an area of ​​1 m ² . During the year, energy will be consumed in an amount that does not exceed 120 kW / h per 1 m ² . When considering energy efficient homes, it is right if you familiarize yourself with all the systems separately.

Architectural issue

When the creation of an energy-saving house project begins, even its location, size and the presence of additional "thermal" buffers should be considered.

garages, basements, etc. Regarding the location, the latitudinal direction would be an ideal option. The ratio of the external and internal area of ​​the building is also equally important. For the windows, choose the most suitable place and size. Most of the windows will be located on the south side of the structure and in those rooms that will be used most often.

Solar tubes are often used to enhance the flow of heat energy in the house. This is an element with a diameter of up to 35 cm, which serves to receive heat on the roof and redirect it to rooms inside the house. then the maximum possible gentle slope is provided here.This will make it possible to keep snow in the winter and thereby create additional insulation.

Thermal insulation

As for and insulation, then constant heat loss goes through the surface of the floor, walls and roof, which leads to such a step as the insulation of these structures.

For walls and roofs, similar materials are suitable as insulation, but the main point is compliance with the thickness of the insulation, it should be 20 cm.To exclude the outflow of heat from the internal space through the windows, you can use glass filled with inert gas or selective glass. To insulate the floor on the ground floor, you can use various materials, for example, bulk mixes or foam concrete.

Insulation of the foundation is a prerequisite for construction.To do this, you can use sprayed polyurethane, expanded clay or foam.

Is it profitable to build an energy efficient home in Russia? Definitely. Even at the initial cost, you will build it cheaper than many other home options, and you will enjoy savings in the future.

Ventilation system

An ideal option for power engineering would be the construction of a ventilation system, which is equipped with a recuperator. Such a system will eliminate all heat leaks, and it works on the principle of air masses. Cool, fresh air that is directed into the house will pass through the heated air in the room.

Heating will occur due to the heat transfer of the outgoing air from the room towards the fresh flow.

Heating

The construction of these types of houses does not require the use of autonomous heating systems.

But if you still want to install heating, you can use the following devices:

• Pyrolysis boiler. Appliances such as pellets are used for heating. The equipment has an automated unit to control the entire system and has a metering auger.

  The system does not require replenishment of electricity, and the combustion process will be provided from one bookmark per day autonomously, while the process can be regulated in accordance with the parameters set on the unit.

• Heat pump. Such equipment can be used not only to heat the whole house, but also to reduce the air temperature to a comfortable one in the summer season. There are several types of boilers - ground, water and air. They work on the same principle as refrigerators.

  The equipment includes a compressor and an evaporator.

Varieties

As for the construction of this type of houses, the classification is based on the level of electricity consumption:

• Passive. This house is characterized by a consumption of resources in the idea of ​​30% compared to an ordinary house. In such a house there is no cold bridge due to well-equipped insulation, but the thickness of the walls is 30 cm. The room also has a ventilation system and additional elements of equipment for heating.

  Collectors are most often used. The building is equipped with an electrical supply that is considered independent.

• Ultra-low power consumption. In terms of specific consumption of resources, this is from 17 to 45 kW per hour / m ² per year.
• Low consumption.

  Energy resources can be consumed in the range from 37 to 60 kWh / m ² per year.

• Reduced energy consumption. In this case, the saving percentage is 70%. The material for thermal insulation, which is placed in the wall structure, will be from 16 cm or more in thickness. When laying, a heating system is used, which works according to the circular principle.

• Zero flow. Such houses are distinguished by the fact that they simply do not have electricity in the form of a conducted communication. Certain structures can themselves reproduce electrical energy and give it to the public network. The walls should be 40 cm thick. The houses have ventilation, which works with a mechanical type, as well as tanks and collectors, in which warm water is stored.

How to build correctly?

Finnish is most often used among the methods of building energy-efficient houses. For the construction, you will need to use frame technology, and in this case it will not be difficult to build a house with your own hands.

To do this, you can use the following algorithm and understand how to build:

1. A foundation that will be ideal for a Finnish-type house - pile or tape. We'll deal with it first.
2. The house is built of timber, which must be carefully treated with certain antiseptics before starting work.

   Before piping, the surface of the foundation should be covered with a layer of waterproofing film or other similar material.

Please note, that when designing the strapping, make sure that the location is strictly horizontal.

1. When making a wall structure from a bar, we fasten everything with pins or self-tapping screws, while the elements must fit the groove into the groove.
2. Plywood or OSB sheets are used for the floor. The strapping for the floor must be laid, while adhering to the distance that will be optimal for installing the sheets.

3. On top of the lower strapping, it will be necessary to install a lag with a distance that will be equal to the width of the insulation material. In places where the load will be enhanced, a lag joining should be done.
4. After the OSB boards are laid, you can lay out the material with which you will insulate the floor, for example, mineral wool.
5. Then spread a layer of vapor control material on top.
6. Provide a ventilation gap to prevent floor rot.

   An excellent option would be to use planks that need to be laid along the entire length of the subfloor. Attach sheets of OMB or plywood on top.

7. For the manufacture of the floor, it is recommended to use beams that have a cross section of 24.5 * 5 cm. The laying step in this case should be 30-35 cm.

8. Attach plywood on top of the beams, and thus at you will be able to build a rough floor / ceiling for an attic or a full second floor.
9. For the manufacture of the rafter system, use the beams on top of which the lathing will be attached.
10. Warming is an important point. To begin with, we provide protection from the wind, and for this you will need to sheathe the frame. For this, use plates.

11. On the surface of the slabs, a film should be fixed, and after that the racks of the lathing, which will be the basis for creating the exterior decoration of the house.
12. The inside of the house also requires insulation. The material that must be used for this is mineral wool or cellulose.

Manufacturers

Manufacturers say that you can even build a turnkey energy efficient home:

• To begin with, they design a frame house and do everything on a turnkey basis. When ordering, specialists will help you so that you can choose the optimal materials that are of the best quality.

• Construction of Finnish houses, which are the embodiment of modern technologies, various projects that are not similar to each other and are unique.
• In addition to building a house, it is planned to use innovative resource conservation systems (electricity). Among other things, we note that all systems and equipment are installed and configured by professionals.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of modern energy efficient houses are as follows:

• Appearance. Due to the fact that wood or material from it is used for building a house, it is possible to create the most unusual and unique projects.

• High level of security, reliability. Subject to all the necessary conditions and adhering to the requirements, you will receive a structure that will be resistant to the effects of negative environmental factors.
• Environmentally friendly. Living in such a house is absolutely harmless to human health.
• Ease of construction.

  You can even build a house with your own hands, and it is not necessary to hire a team of workers or use equipment. The construction time is short.

• Savings. This advantage also became the destination. Living in such a house does not require large expenses.

Recommendations and life hacks

We have collected several useful recommendations for you:

• Before starting construction take into account all the features of the location, namely the relief, climate, soil. The choice of the most suitable materials will depend on this.
• Be careful when choosing a foundation, because although the construction of the house is not so heavy, it is better to give preference to a solid and reliable foundation when building a house with two floors.
• Use drywall or plywood for interior decoration. The best option would be to use ceiling cladding panels.

Conclusion

Building an energy efficient home for year-round living will be the unmistakable choice.

In addition, the process does not require large expenditures and operation makes it possible to save budget.

If we take into account that the life of the house reaches up to 100 years, and the house is comfortable and cozy, then from living in it there will be only positive emotions. As you can see, such construction is beneficial in all respects.