Hey!
I was just wondering in a home, where would the main loss of heat or energy be and how could I stop this..? Thanks!
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
In this FHB Podcast segment, the crew offers expert advice on insulating an old home and finding the right contractor to do the job.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Depens on the home.
Heat is transfered into and out of the building by transmission (conduction and convection) through walls, windows, doors, perimeters, ceilings, slabs, floors and skylights. Then there is heat gain/loss due to infiltration, ventilation, exhaust and combustion vents.
How can you stop all this heat loss? Seal leaks, insulate ceilings (heat loss through the ceiling/roof/attic is usually one of the bigger portion in an "average" house), walls, floors and foundation walls. Use good, insulated windows. Use sealed combustion appliances where possible. On direct-vent (i.e. those that take combustion air from the room and vent through gravity type flues) appliances, have combustion air fed via automatic, damper controlled supply ducts, that are closed when not needed. Get an energy recovery ventilator to provide fresh air to the house.