Home Energy Basics is designed to provide homeowners with a solid foundation in understanding how energy is utilized within their homes, the common inefficiencies that lead to energy waste, and the fundamental principles of building science, particularly how heat moves. This knowledge is essential for anyone looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.
Understanding Energy Consumption
The journey to energy efficiency begins with understanding how energy is consumed in your home. Major energy consumers include heating and cooling systems, water heaters, lighting, and various household electronics and appliances. Typically, heating and cooling account for nearly half of a home’s energy use, making them prime targets for efficiency improvements. Knowing how each system contributes to your overall energy usage helps you identify where savings can be made (Energy.gov).
Identifying Common Inefficiencies
Most homes have several areas where energy is being wasted. Common inefficiencies include:
Poor Insulation: Insufficient insulation in walls, attics, and floors allows heat to escape in the winter and enter in the summer, making your HVAC systems work harder.
Air Leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and other openings can significantly impact your home’s energy efficiency.
Outdated Appliances: Older appliances often consume more energy compared to modern, energy-efficient models.
Inefficient Lighting: Traditional incandescent bulbs use more energy than LED or CFL bulbs, which provide the same amount of light with less energy consumption (Energy.gov).
Energy Basics and Terminology
Grasping the basic terminology used in energy discussions is crucial. Here are a few key terms:
BTU (British Thermal Unit): A measure of heat energy. It’s often used to describe the energy content of fuels and the power of heating and cooling systems.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Refers to the systems used for heating, cooling, and ventilating your home.
R-value: A measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat flow. Higher R-values indicate better insulating properties.
kWh (Kilowatt-hour): A unit of energy that represents the amount of electricity used if a 1,000-watt appliance runs for one hour. It’s commonly used on electricity bills to measure energy consumption.
Home Energy Basics: Building Science Principles
This module introduces homeowners to the critical concepts of how energy, heat, air, and moisture flow within a home, focusing on the building science principles that underpin energy efficiency. By understanding these fundamentals, homeowners will gain insights into how their home functions as a system and how each component—from insulation to HVAC systems—affects overall energy consumption and indoor environmental quality.
Key Learning Objectives:
Understanding Heat, Air, and Moisture Flow:
Learn how heat moves from warm to cold, how air circulates through your home, and how moisture infiltration can affect both comfort and building durability.
The Building Envelope:
Explore how your home's outer shell—including the attic, basement, and walls—creates a thermal boundary that serves as the first line of defense against outdoor elements. Understand the role of insulation and air sealing in maintaining this boundary.
The House as a System:
Discover the interconnection between various elements of your home, such as how upgrading one component, like windows or insulation, can influence the performance of heating and cooling systems. This holistic view is key to achieving energy efficiency and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
Health and Safety Considerations:
Identify what constitutes a healthy indoor environment by focusing on ventilation, moisture control, and the potential need to address issues like radon, asbestos, or mold. Learn strategies to improve air quality while ensuring your home remains energy-efficient.
By the end of this module, you will have a foundational understanding of building science principles that will empower you to take informed steps toward improving your home's energy efficiency, leading to reduced utility costs and a more comfortable living environment.
Conclusion
This module will equip homeowners with the fundamental knowledge needed to understand energy usage and inefficiencies in their homes, as well as the basics of building science. With this foundation, they will be well-prepared to embark on more detailed energy-saving strategies and home improvements covered in later modules.