ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE HOUSE A sustainable house has to be especially designed to use clean energy and resources. When building a house we always have to choose good alternatives for the environment.

DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS The houses needs to have double glazed windows always facing the north. This will allow the sun’s heat to enter the house through the windows in winter and none to enter the house in summer because of the angle awnings outside above the windows. When the sun comes through the window it heats up the room and the cement slab floor, which can hold the heat for a long time. Therefore we are saving energy by not using air conditioners and heaters.

INSULATION Insulation provides a barrier to the flow of heat or cold. It keeps houses cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Insulation means you use less energy for heating and cooling and reducing greenhouse emissions.

SOLAR PANELS Solar energy uses renewable energy from the sun as their power source. Hot water is generated from the solar panels that capture’s the sun’s energy. Solar panels are an energy saving options as some countries government are giving rebates for people to install it in their houses.

LIGHT GLOBES None energy efficient light globes contribute to greenhouse gases. Light globes use large amount of energy, most of which is wasted as heat. Majority of the countries are introducing compulsory energy efficient light bulbs and most of the households will be fitted with fluorescent light bulbs that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY RATING APPLIANCES New appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines come with star rating labels. The more stars an appliance has, the less energy it uses, meaning it is better for the environment. Always purchase an electrical appliance that has most star rating.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE This makes a big difference to the worlds energy consumption. If we try we can reduce our use of products that don’t recycle easily. Composting is good for the garden and good for the earth – it is nature’s way of recycling. Consumers should use green bags or brown paper bags which can be easily recycled and reused. Paper and cardboard that ends up in landfills contributes to methane gas emissions and global warming.

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES Buying rechargeable batteries reduces the amount of landfill, saves money and conserves energy by reducing the amount of disposable batteries produced. Some rechargeable batteries can be recharged over 1000 times, being very cost efficient.

INSTALLATION OF WATER TANKS Water tanks collect rainwater from the roof of the house that can be used to flush the toilets and water the gardens. This is a good idea because it saves a lot of water and cuts the cost on the water bills.

Ma Maison Éconergétique Vous avez été embauché pour créer une maison écologique et économe en énergie. Pensez à ce que les types d'énergie de remplacement et les ressources renouvelables que vous utiliserez et les moyens que vous conserverez et utiliser vos ressources judicieusement. Directions: D'abord, répondez aux questions suivantes, puis faites un diagramme avec des images et des étiquettes sur le contour de la maison. Assurez-vous d'inclure toutes vos idées sur le schéma.