Tips For Planning A New Home For A Better Building Energy Rating And Reduced Heating Costs

In the current era of belt tightening and uncertain oil prices, it is more important than ever to ensure that your hard-earned cash is not literally going up in smoke due to poor design. So what can you do to ensure that your new dream home won't cost you an arm and a leg in heating bills? Here are a few tips to consider when planning your new home to improve the Building Energy Rating and save you money:

• Ensure that the dwelling has a compact shape.
• Orientate the dwelling so that the larger windows face south.
• Minimise the glazed area on the northern elevation.
• Maximise the number of separate heating zones in the dwelling.
• Eliminate open fires.
• Provide a fresh air intake for stoves from outside the dwelling.
• Use a renewable energy source such as geothermal, solar, wood pellet stove or a wind turbine.
• If you have oil or gas heating, use an efficient boiler.
• Use a heat recovery ventilation system.
• Use an airtight membrane around the entire envelope of the dwelling.
• Provide a draught lobby at the main entrance.
• Install energy efficient light bulbs.
• Use insulation with low thermal conductivity.

Many of these ideas cost little or nothing to implement, but with a little thought and planning, you can make significant improvements to the energy efficiency of your new home. If you would like more information or to have your energy efficient dwelling designed for you, contact Fore Enterprises Ltd. by email on energy@fore-enterprises.com of by phone on 044-9661144 or go to their website http://www.fore-enterprises.com/

About the Author
Ronan Healy is a chartered engineer, a peace commissioner and the first engineer in Ireland to be a certified passive house designer. He has worked with Fluor Corporation in the project management of some of it's flagship microelectronic and pharmaceutical projects in Ireland. He also has extensive experience in the design and project management of residential, healthcare, educational and commercial projects. His primary interest is low energy and passive buildings.