Dramatically reduce your operation costs
January 2, 2009
Investing in a high performance building or home is becoming easier everyday. For
example, finding a high performing alternative to traditional HVAC or roofing needs
may have been quite difficult ten or even only five years ago. However, an energy
consultant can now steer your project away from items that have a large up-front sunk
cost and toward equipment and materials that are price compatible and/or generate long
term dollar savings.
For instance, a residential building that would normally rely on forced air heating to
maximize space comfort may now choose to invest in radiant heating. Radiant heating will
outperform the best forced air system on the market and generate savings in electricity
and fossil fuel usage. Take this one step further by adding a solar thermal system to
supplement or replace your boiler and now the entire package not only generates a large
saving, but can now pay for itself in three to five years as the solar energy will
immediately reduce or eliminate the heating bill altogether.
For a commercial building interested in reducing winter heat loss or ensuring maximum
cooling during the summer months, finding the best insulation is paramount. Not many
on the market can provide the integrity of the renewable sourced materials which
significantly reduce the heating and cooling costs to generate long term dollar savings.
Rigid soy-based spray foam insulation will seal the interior maximizing the effectiveness
of the built in space heating and cooling system and cut off the interior from harmful
pollutants and unwanted natural ventilation – may cause dryness or moisture – seeping
into the interior. Go one step further and by applying a green roof the owner can rest
assured that the building will not be absorbing unwanted sunlight, reducing heating during
the summer and prevent heat-loss during the winter. As a bonus, the green roof will return
moisture to the atmosphere, reducing the cost for rooftop drainage and the monthly cost to
return rainwater to an aquifer, river or ocean.
