Every year, more and more people choose the private sector. The construction of ecological houses is a modern trend that cannot be achieved without the introduction of energy-saving technologies. The main secret to the efficiency of such houses lies in the combination of engineering and architectural design of the house. It is very difficult to implement energy-saving technologies in an already built house - it is a very expensive reconstruction, sometimes impossible.
It is common practice in many countries to build wooden houses with energy efficient technologies. It is very important to think through every detail of the construction to make the solution cost effective. For example, if you don’t plan to live in your house all the time, there’s no point in insulating the floor. Underfloor heating systems will be cheaper in the long run.
When thinking about the design of your house, you need to set priorities: a large window will bring more light into your home, while a small one will keep you warm. You may need to give up the idea of installing a panoramic window.
Place the room on the sunniest side where you want to spend the most time. As a result, the house receives more solar energy during the day. The rooms, such as the bathroom, toilet and garage, are oriented to the north.
Thermal insulation of a wooden house
Once the house is built, it's time to think about proper thermal insulation. The main goal at this stage is to minimize heat loss to the environment.
More than 40% of the heat passes through the walls of the house, so it is important to consider the following factors:
- structural changes during shrinkage;
- precise connection of joints;
- calculation of future shrinkage (for multilayer beams it will be about 1%);
- isolating the composition at the junction of the roof.
It loses 20% of the heat of the house through the roof. It must be insulated with the same material as the walls. When choosing a material for the insulation and construction of the house, keep in mind that the thickness of the insulation layer must be at least 20 cm.
Double glazed windows
More than 20% of the heat passes through the windows. There are currently two types of glass that prevent heat loss in the home:
- Low-emission glass, the material of which allows ultraviolet radiation to penetrate inside the apartment, while long waves (generated by radiators and people) remain in the apartment.
- Selective glass. The double-glazed windows in such windows are filled with gas, so they have a lower thermal conductivity than air. As a result, less heat is transferred from the home to the environment.
The floor is insulated
The following materials are used to insulate the floor:
- Insulation is an easy way to keep warm and you can add a decorative cover right away. The only downside is the high price.
- Aerated concrete is a cement-sand cover with nitrogen bubbles in its structure, which makes the floor very strong.
- Cement-sand sheet foam with plastic grains, vermiculite, expanded clay, marble chips.
Walls
It loses 10% of the energy of the house through the walls of the foundation. This is due to the winter freezing of the soil. All experts recommend insulating the walls and ceiling of the basement. This will have a positive effect on protecting your home from environmental influences. The following materials are mainly used here:
- Polyurethane sprayer.
- hungarocell.
- expanded clay. This is the least popular because it requires more labor and has a higher thermal conductivity than previous materials.
Heating costs are the largest of all household costs. This is why heating and its efficient operation in wooden houses is popular. An integrated approach to this issue is needed, consisting of several steps:
- selection of modern methods of heating systems;
- cheap and environmentally friendly fuel;
- good thermal insulation at home;
- thermal insulation of doors and windows.
In this case, it will spend the winter in comfortable conditions and without huge fuel costs.
First of all, you need to start by insulating the wooden house. This is the first important ingredient. You only need to invest money once during the construction phase of your house, and this can save you a significant amount of your budget. A well-insulated apartment is the one with the lowest heat loss and thus the lowest heating cost. Heat loss can be multiplied, even if only one window is poorly insulated. The use of advanced insulation techniques is recommended. Using old-fashioned methods is a waste of time and money.
Boiler automation
A 1 ° C increase in indoor temperature increases fuel consumption by 5%. This problem can be maintained by installing boiler automation systems.
Automation allows you to control comfort conditions - a drop or rise in the temperature outside the home automatically changes the room temperature without delay. This system is fuel efficient and very efficient, saving you money in the long run. If you leave the house for a few days, there is no need for maximum heating of the house. In this case, the automation can be set to a specific time. This means that the system maintains the minimum temperature conditions until you are at home and warms up to normal temperature a few hours before you arrive.
Underfloor heating system
This system is considered to be the most economical today. And when combined with a condensing boiler, the efficiency is multiplied. Compared to a conventional heating system such as a radiator, this is not only economical but also very fast. Underfloor heating distributes heat over the entire height of the room, creating a comfortable indoor environment.
Solar panels
Nowadays, solar panels are becoming an increasingly common source of energy. The main problem that has stopped the introduction of the Solar System into everyday life is the use of solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity. This is a very expensive technology.
The main advantages of solar houses:
- solar energy is infinite;
- this energy source is environmentally friendly;
- no greenhouse gas emissions.
There are no moving parts in the solar panels. This means that only the panels need to be cared for and kept clean after installation. Snow, dust, and raindrops on batteries can reduce the amount of sunlight. Keep in mind that dust on structures can reduce the amount of electricity by up to 7%. But it does not need to be cleaned too often. One or four times a year will suffice. All you need is a hose with a nozzle. It is recommended to replace the batteries every ten years.
Where is your home?
The geographical location of your home will have a significant impact on solar energy efficiency. Electricity from solar panels depends on direct sunlight, so the shade of tall trees or nearby buildings is an obstacle. The more hours the batteries are exposed to direct sunlight, the more efficient the system will be.
Before you decide to install solar panels, find out about the exposure value in your area. Radiation is a measure of how much solar radiation reaches the Earth in a given area over a period of time. High solar radiation means a large amount of electricity.
You need to understand that only you can decide what energy-saving system your wooden house has. Discuss every detail with a specialist, he will take into account all your wishes. It will make your future home not only energy efficient but also attractive.