A home can be more efficient by the use of skylights, cool roofs, insulation and orientation
SKYLIGHTS- Skylights are small windows in the roof that light can pass through. This design in a home could make it more efficient because you use a natural source for light. Due to this, you can save more on energy bills because you are using no electricity for lighting. (Refer to figure 1)
COOL ROOFS- Cool roofs work by reflecting more light away from the house and absorbing less of the heat from the sun. To be a cool roof the normal roof has to be coated with specialised coating that is highly solar reflective and high infrared emissive. Cool roofs will make a home more efficient because it will cost less to cool your house due to the little change in temperature. (Refer to figure 2)
INSULATION- Insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow and is essential to for keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulation makes a home more efficient because it will be easier to heat and cool your home. It will also reduce the cost of running an air- conditioner or heater because it will stop the flow of heat, this will mean you don't need to use your air- conditioner and heater that often. (Refer to figure 3)
ORIENTATION- The orientation of the home is the way which the font of the house is facing, e.g. north, south, east, west. The orientation of the home should face north so your house can maximise the use of natural light and winter warmth. It is best to arrange both indoor and outdoor living and entertaining areas on the north side where possible, while bedrooms and bathrooms to the south.
SKYLIGHTS- Skylights are small windows in the roof that light can pass through. This design in a home could make it more efficient because you use a natural source for light. Due to this, you can save more on energy bills because you are using no electricity for lighting. (Refer to figure 1)
COOL ROOFS- Cool roofs work by reflecting more light away from the house and absorbing less of the heat from the sun. To be a cool roof the normal roof has to be coated with specialised coating that is highly solar reflective and high infrared emissive. Cool roofs will make a home more efficient because it will cost less to cool your house due to the little change in temperature. (Refer to figure 2)
INSULATION- Insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow and is essential to for keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulation makes a home more efficient because it will be easier to heat and cool your home. It will also reduce the cost of running an air- conditioner or heater because it will stop the flow of heat, this will mean you don't need to use your air- conditioner and heater that often. (Refer to figure 3)
ORIENTATION- The orientation of the home is the way which the font of the house is facing, e.g. north, south, east, west. The orientation of the home should face north so your house can maximise the use of natural light and winter warmth. It is best to arrange both indoor and outdoor living and entertaining areas on the north side where possible, while bedrooms and bathrooms to the south.