ENERGY EFFICIENCY| FAMILY STUDIES|L-10|

What is energy efficiency?

Making our homes more energy-efficient is a great way to help reduce how much energy we use. This can also help cut down on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Energy efficiency means using the least amount of energy required to do a task. In other words, it means not wasting energy.

What is heat transfer?

There’s an important connection between energy efficiency and thermal energy transfer. Thermal energy transfer is also called heat transfer. Heat flows in one direction: from a warmer area to a colder one. If you’re cooking and your kitchen gets too warm, you might open a door or window to “let the heat out.” What you are actually doing is letting the warm air inside move towards the colder air outside. 

Why is insulation important

One way to make a home more energy-efficient is to insulate it properly. Insulation can trap heat. This prevents heat from moving from a warm area to a cooler one. If a house is not properly insulated, heat can escape through the walls, roof, and other places. Remember the draft from the window? Another common place for heat loss is around windows and doors. These little gaps can be filled with various materials. This process is often called weatherstripping. 

Man applying silicone to fill in the crack around a window to stop drafts 

Man applying silicone to fill in the crack around a window to stop drafts (Source: AndreyPopov via iStockphoto).

Using insulated curtains can help, too. These curtains have several layers that block light, sound, and heat transfer. In the winter, they help keep warm air in and cold air out. In the warm months they help keep cool air in and warm air out. Of course, insulated curtains work best when the windows have been properly insulated, too. 

How can you help make your home more energy-efficient?

Does insulation sound like a big task that professionals should deal with? Don’t worry. There are easy things that you or the people in your home can do, too. For example, when it gets cold, wear warm sweaters indoors. This way, you can keep the thermostat down.

As you can guess from the name, programmable thermostats can be programmed. This way, your thermostat can automatically lower the temperature when you don’t need as much heat. For example, it can lower the temperature at night and when people are out at work or school.  

The energy audit of buildings

When you acquire a commercial or industrial building, you are required to complete a regulatory energy audit, in accordance with the European directive in force. The overall purpose of this diagnosis is to evaluate the energy performance of the buildings. The building energy audit follows a precise approach, documented in a set of specifications.

1. Review of the building

Before reviewing the building, the expert collects all the data necessary for the energy audit. The goal is to get an overview of the building’s energy consumption. It is also an opportunity to develop the first ideas for improvement.

2. Data summary

With the help of a thermal camera, the expert can measure the energy losses of the house. He also uses existing documents (invoice, technical data sheet, dpe…) to draw up an initial report. The thermal study constitutes a basis for developing an improvement plan.

3. The building renovation plan or energy improvement program

Depending on the results obtained at the end of the audit, the expert determines a renovation plan or action plan. This consists of the construction of several scenarios aimed at reducing the energy consumption of the buildings.

4. Presentation of the audit report

Finally, your service provider will give you a complete report including all the information relating to the building obtained during the audit phase and their details, a complete heat balance, the different improvement scenarios envisaged and a summary of the possible solutions in order of relevance.