Energy Efficiency

EEH Homes are as Energy Efficient as we can make them, and yet still be reasonable in cost.

Encouraging Energy Efficiency

Besides the actual optimized design of the home, there are many factors to consider. For instance, the direction a home faces, the heat sink capability of items in the home, and the degree of regular wind can all play a vital roll in maintaining energy efficiency once the home has been built. The time to sort this out is before you start digging.

Remember an Energy Efficient Home is as easy to cool as it is to heat. Thus an EEH home will benefit from the latest heat pump technology for ancillary heating/Cooling. Heat pumps are much more economical to run than small heaters. Ask us for more information about heat pumps and how to easily keep your whole home temperature regulated, and comfortable tear round.

Key EEH potential Benefits

Maximise or minimise solar absorption

Maximum thermal absorption potential depending upon model

Home is sealed to ensure minimum wind losses and drafts.

Windows that don't condense under normal conditions.

Beyond the Basic Shell

Once the basic design of a home has been selected, the home needs to be "pointed" in the right direction, once all the aspects of the site are taken into consideration. Windows facing North into the sun will ensure maximum absorption of the sun's energy. In Summer this can be a problem as too much sun can easily overheat a home. This is easily tempered with good forethought and design inclusions.

In consultation with your EEH representative, ascertain the real parameters required and ensure important items such as Blinds, Overhangs, Direction, bedroom sun, thermal heat sinks and airtight fireplaces are considered.

Direction

For optimal heating, maximize the North facing with maximum glassed area. Vertical blinds will help control summer sun.

Passive Solar Option

A large (airtight) stone/brick fireplace and or Kitchen/Dining room with a 25cm concrete base, dark tiles, make for an excellent heat sink if illuminated properly. This helps moderate the ambient temperatures and the home can hold the warmth of day throughout the night.

This must be designed in early, and a minimum 25cm insulated concrete heat sink floor + tile must be included in the design and structural requirements. Piping built into the concrete prior to placing, allows temperature migration, and optimal use of the heat sink

The same goes for a fireplace with its associated stone/Brick/Concrete. Obviously a fully open hearth defeats the purpose of sealing the home, therefore an airtight insert is used, with ancillary fresh air intake for air exchange. Also consider a "Heatilator" (Fan forced heat extraction around the fireplace insert. Ask about these features if you are not sure.

Consideration should be given to maximize the side with the heat sink, towards North.

Active Solar

The design of Active solar and Electric Solar Panels can easily be built in when designing a home. It is beyond the scope of this document to describe in detail the options here. Suffice to say a preinstalled duct from roof to basement/storage area will allow post completion installation of any Active Solar system. Pipes & cables can easily be passed through to the roof in this manner, with all concealed within the hidden ducting.

Your EEH representative will be able to assist in these areas, and to offer complete installation and integration. In NZ it is not impossible to make a fully integrated Solar home, where no ancillary heat beyond normal occupation is required to heat the home all year.

Obviously this will vary with external extreme temperatures and altitudes, but the concept remains: with minimum ancillary heating and solar augmentation there is no real reason any home in NZ could not be self sufficient in its own heating energy requirements. An EEH home is the perfect base home for solar augmentation.

	Energy Efficiency
	“The human species needs above all a sense of security to live happily. ... We feel secure because we have witnessed the best materials being used to construct our home. And, boy do we feel comfortable! On the horizon we see large forests around us but we never fear the winds because we know that our home has been put together so solidly. In case you didn’t suspect it, we love our ... home with its cathedral ceilings and red cedar. We wouldn’t trade it for anything else. We wish you all the same.” Mariette Levesque & Pierre Brousseau
		When it's cold outside, the last thing you need to worry about is that it's cold outside
	EEH Homes are as Energy Efficient as we can make them, and yet still be reasonable in cost. Encouraging Energy Efficiency Besides the actual optimized design of the home, there are many factors to consider. For instance, the direction a home faces, the heat sink capability of items in the home, and the degree of regular wind can all play a vital roll in maintaining energy efficiency once the home has been built. The time to sort this out is before you start digging. Remember an Energy Efficient Home is as easy to cool as it is to heat. Thus an EEH home will benefit from the latest heat pump technology for ancillary heating/Cooling. Heat pumps are much more economical to run than small heaters. Ask us for more information about heat pumps and how to easily keep your whole home temperature regulated, and comfortable tear round. Key EEH potential Benefits Maximise or minimise solar absorption Maximum thermal absorption potential depending upon model Home is sealed to ensure minimum wind losses and drafts. Windows that don't condense under normal conditions. Beyond the Basic Shell Once the basic design of a home has been selected, the home needs to be "pointed" in the right direction, once all the aspects of the site are taken into consideration. Windows facing North into the sun will ensure maximum absorption of the sun's energy. In Summer this can be a problem as too much sun can easily overheat a home. This is easily tempered with good forethought and design inclusions. In consultation with your EEH representative, ascertain the real parameters required and ensure important items such as Blinds, Overhangs, Direction, bedroom sun, thermal heat sinks and airtight fireplaces are considered. Direction For optimal heating, maximize the North facing with maximum glassed area. Vertical blinds will help control summer sun. Passive Solar Option A large (airtight) stone/brick fireplace and or Kitchen/Dining room with a 25cm concrete base, dark tiles, make for an excellent heat sink if illuminated properly. This helps moderate the ambient temperatures and the home can hold the warmth of day throughout the night. This must be designed in early, and a minimum 25cm insulated concrete heat sink floor + tile must be included in the design and structural requirements. Piping built into the concrete prior to placing, allows temperature migration, and optimal use of the heat sink The same goes for a fireplace with its associated stone/Brick/Concrete. Obviously a fully open hearth defeats the purpose of sealing the home, therefore an airtight insert is used, with ancillary fresh air intake for air exchange. Also consider a "Heatilator" (Fan forced heat extraction around the fireplace insert. Ask about these features if you are not sure. Consideration should be given to maximize the side with the heat sink, towards North. Active Solar The design of Active solar and Electric Solar Panels can easily be built in when designing a home. It is beyond the scope of this document to describe in detail the options here. Suffice to say a preinstalled duct from roof to basement/storage area will allow post completion installation of any Active Solar system. Pipes & cables can easily be passed through to the roof in this manner, with all concealed within the hidden ducting. Your EEH representative will be able to assist in these areas, and to offer complete installation and integration. In NZ it is not impossible to make a fully integrated Solar home, where no ancillary heat beyond normal occupation is required to heat the home all year. Obviously this will vary with external extreme temperatures and altitudes, but the concept remains: with minimum ancillary heating and solar augmentation there is no real reason any home in NZ could not be self sufficient in its own heating energy requirements. An EEH home is the perfect base home for solar augmentation.
	Notes: Most pictures are of actual homes, customized for each customer, and therefore may show features not included in the base offering, but available on request as an option Purchase Large 168 page, high quality, full colour, Catalogue available containing all current models. $65 including postage. Payment by cheque or Credit card (via PayPal): Please contact us for details Models are also available on CD for $7 including P&P, and include high resolution pictures: Please contact us for details All models can be ordered with Garages All Models can be customised All models can be optimised by the use of basements, a low cost way to enlarge any home Please contact us for more information All contents of this Web site are (c) 2004 by Energy Efficient Homes Limited, and others