Home Retrofitting- Is now the time?

Home Retrofitting- Is now the time? Thought of retrofitting your home? Wondered whether the time is right for it in spite of the downward trend in economy? Home retrofitting with energy conservation measures may be one way to apply breaks to this chaotic situation!Why retrofit? Just ten years ago if you spoke to even your close associates about the necessity for conservation of energy and the environment probably you would have got stares in bewilderment. If you remember the fuel was available freely and aplenty. It was cheap too. China and India were just struggling to sort out their domestic problems. Pollution, Ozone Depletion and Global Warming were just of academic interest. You could manage your normal life style (not necessarily extravagant) easily with what you earn. Ten years later energy and fossil fuels are in short supply along with jobs and cash flow. The most populace countries in the world China and India are newly immerging as industrial giants with the increased demand for energy creating shortages elsewhere and with increased clamor for lower energy prices and alternative sources of energy. No wonder the economy is in recession as it was never before. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/1d.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/1d.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> In the field of energy more fuel efficient modes of transport, cutting down on waste, conservation, improvement in efficiency even for bare energy needs have become the order of the day. In the light of the above your home energy budget has obviously would have dwindled and the only way out seems to be an energy efficient home. That’s why right now a retrofit becomes a tool you cannot push aside. Retrofit what? Experts have identified the following areas of energy wastage that home retrofitting would provide an effective solution. Heating – Seasonal efficiencies for fossil fuel Heating systems may vary from 30% to 90% and lower efficiencies are found in older installations. Heat Losses- Depending on the thermal resistance of the building envelope heat energy will leak out from the high temperature side to the low temperature side (which is outdoors during the heating season). Air Leakage- The living space is either heated up (or cooled depending on the season) to a comfortable level utilizing costly energy which is lost with the leaked out air (or leaked in for wasting energy as the case may be). Water Heating- The quantity of Energy lost in heating and storage of hot water can be as high as 40% of the total energy consumed by the system. Cooling– Air conditioning really got going only during the middle of the last century. (It was in existence since the mid twenties though).New innovations such as microprocessor controlled rotary, screw and the frictionless bearing fitted centrifugal compressors have made systems very energy efficient. But the older systems do suffer from irregular and poor maintenance in addition to incorrect settings, worn out controls, inaccurate sensors, use of piston type compressors etc. In most cases a few simple adjustments and clean up could make vast improvements to the system energy efficiency. Heat Gains– many homes use excessive heating (or cooling) to compensate for wasted energy due to incorrect landscaping, shading, non use of multi glazing in windows, excessive air leakage, internally generated heat, poor or perished insulation etc. Distribution Systems-Loss of Heat or (cooling) from ducts, un-insulated pipes in unconditioned spaces etc.waste a significant portion of the energy consumed by the furnaces, boilers, water heaters and air conditioners. Appliances and lighting-Refrigerators, Lighting, entertainment systems, computers and other appliances waste energy due to obsolete designs, inadequate maintenance, negligent operation or just the sheer number of appliances. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/1b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/1b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> Human Angle-The occupants awareness of the various aspects of energy wastage, their own contribution to that wastage, care of the building makes significant improvements to energy consumed by that building. The ab
ove list may not be exhaustive but will give you some idea of what is expected in a retrofit. This is the right time for a <a href="http://www.techstore.ie/Renewable-Energy/Home-Retrofitting.html" target="_blank">home retrofit</a> because it is time for an economic revival (at micro as well as mega levels).All savings will contribute towards this end. Moreover you can get reimbursement of a good portion of your investment (if not all) from the environmental authority in your country if you are residing in the developed world. With or without this benefit a retrofit will bring in benefits to you for many years to come by way of reduced energy bills however much the tariffs will rise up. About the authorJohn Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology realated subjects. For more information about John visit his website <a href="http://www.techstore.ie" target="_blank">www.techstore.ie</a> .

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