What is the Most Energy-Efficient Type of House?

When it comes to constructing the most efficient form of building, simple cubic and dome-shaped structures are the most effective. Dome-shaped houses are the most energy efficient, as they have fewer corners. This allows the wind to easily pass through the house with no change in air pressure, which, in general, reduces air penetration and therefore maintains a more uniform temperature. Cube-shaped houses are another good option.

The Zero Home is equipped with an oven and air conditioner that are 95 percent efficient, meaning 95 percent of the energy consumed by systems is converted to hot or cold air. Despite their high efficiency, these systems will operate in standby mode most of the time, and only be needed to withstand a few days of extreme temperatures each season. Insulated concrete molds are one of the most effective ways to reduce energy waste. They are made of hollow concrete blocks that are specially designed to act as their own form of insulation.

All of these blocks are attached to each other with reinforcing bars to form a solid wall system without gaps. The University of Nevada in Las Vegas built an ultra-efficient house that uses solar energy and conserves water. The purpose of the University of Maryland was to design a house that wouldn't rely on fossil fuels like most homes in the United States do. The house is bright inside, even in the basement, and has an air conditioning system with a mini-divided heat pump.

A skilled architect can design a renovation for your home that turns it into an energy producing home. The application is interactive and teaches you how to make decisions about the use of electricity in your home. The habit of using the ceiling fan to cool the house and prevent it from cooking like an oven can greatly save time. This is mainly due to the lack of flat surfaces, as strong, gusty winds can circulate throughout the house instead of going directly through it.

That's partly why you decided to build a house, so you can finally have the home of your dreams. As the heat increases, warm air would travel upward through the dome's vents and then leave the house before the interior temperature could begin to rise. Costs were reduced by using reclaimed wood from old houses for redwood exterior cladding and interior hardwood floors.