Free House Repair Tutorials - Lower Electric Bills / Save Energy

There are many features about a home that make a difference in the amount of energy needed for heating, cooling and lighting. Thus, these features can have a major impact on the amount of money you devote to maintaining the winter and summer comfort of occupants. This checklist will help you evaluate the energy-saving potential of various housing features.

Housing features to consider include: Site; House Design; Construction and Insulation; Heating and Cooling System; Color and Lighting.

Site

House is located on south or southwest slope of hill (sun hits at angle so greatest solar heat is received through south windows in winter).

House is protected from winter wind by a hill or placement of garage/carport (air infiltration and heat loss are reduced when wind velocity is lower)

House is built into a hillside or partially into the ground (the relatively constant year-round ground temperature reduces winter heat loss through below-grade walls and provides a cooling effect during summer).

The long axis of the house runs east and west (allows more windows on the south to take advantage of winter sun, and south windows can be protected from summer sun by awnings, roof overhang, trees).

Large deciduous shade trees are planted on south and west side of house (to provide summer shade during the hottest part of the day, but allow winter sun to heat house)

Low evergreen trees and shrubs or a slatted fence are placed on side of house exposed to winter winds (to provide a wind break and reduce air infiltration,; avoid high evergreens on southeast, south and southwest as they block winter sun from house).

Next Page: House Design

© Michigan State University Extension. Please see their disclaimer