The most significant components of a home’s energy consumption are the conditioning of its space and water. With that in mind, my home was design to reduce the consumption of nonrenewable resources through the use of renewable resources. Having completed your homework, you probably understand how the Sun may help with this endeavor. By using the Sun to heat it’s space and water, let us look how this home will Leave It Better.

Two concepts are important in accomplishing this goal. First, if exposed to the Sun, a large and dense mass will heat up and store this heat over a long period of time. The term that will be used here is “thermal mass”. In this instance, it is nothing more than a very thick concrete slab, exposed to the winter Sun, that runs the length of the home’s south facing wall.

Second, hot air rises. The term that will be used here is “heat recapture”. In this instance, it is nothing more than an extension the furnace’s cold air return to the peak of the vaulted ceiling.

Imbedded within the thermal mass are the furnace’s primary cold air return and the cold water supply for the hot water “tank”. By doing this, both the air and water supply are heated above normal ranges and return to their respective equipment at higher temperatures. A higher return temperature translates into less consumption of nonrenewable energy sources. This is particularly important in Cleveland where the water source is Lake Erie. The lake water’s winter temperature is usually much lower than that of ground water, thus requiring more energy to heat.

The other simple method of reducing energy consumption goes hand in hand with the home’s primary cold air return. Before entering the furnace, hot recaptured air from the apex of the vaulted ceiling is combined with the preheated air of the primary system. The result is still higher return temperatures and less energy consumption.

These two methods for preheating air and water conserve nonrenewable energy resources. They incorporate natural phenomenon by passive means and are implemented by design, not technology. Both solutions are relatively inexpensive and create a living environment that elevates ones quality of life. The “Cooling Mode” of the home will be the next topic so you may want to brush up on your wind.