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Energy efficiency is not just about saving pennies and the planet; it’s also about YOUR health and well-being.
Are you dreaming about building your own home? Read on to learn about the health benefits of green building practices for your next project.
When my partner and I decided to build our dream home a few years ago, we embarked on a journey that not only fulfilled our aspirations for a cozy sanctuary but also profoundly impacted our health and well-being. Little did we know then that opting for energy-efficient green home building would not only reduce our carbon footprint but also enhance our daily lives in ways we never imagined.
In recent years, the concept of green home building has gained significant traction due to its multifaceted benefits, especially regarding energy efficiency and its positive impact on human health. As the world grapples with environmental challenges and strives for sustainability, construction strategies that prioritize energy efficiency have become the new gold standard in building the perfect high-performance home.
Understanding Energy Efficiency in Green Homes
Green building practices not only contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but also other harmful air pollutants, such as particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, associated with the fossil fuels used to produce electricity and heat in your home.
DID YOU KNOW: Heating and cooling account for roughly 48% of average annual US household energy use?
Energy efficiency revolves around designing and constructing buildings that minimize energy consumption while maximizing performance. This approach integrates various strategies such as advanced insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, energy-efficient appliances, and renewable energy sources like solar panels and geothermal systems. The goal is to significantly reduce energy demand, lower utility bills, and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, thereby mitigating environmental impact.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A BUILDING ENVELOPE?...
A building envelope is an engineering design system key to the infrastructure of your home. It encompasses the entire building including the foundation, walls, roof, floors and all other building components and separate the interior from the exterior environment. The building envelope acts as a protective barrier that shields the building from extreme weather, wind and sun/light damage to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
A High-Performance Building Envelope can best be understood as the thermal barrier between the indoor and outdoor environment. It is well-insulated and properly sealed to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. This performance improves indoor environmental quality by allowing you to maintain a comfortable temperature and control air quality and humidity year-round with less energy.
The building envelope performance focuses on the technical aspects that ensure energy efficiency; this includes thermal insulation, moisture control, structural integrity, durability, and air quality within your home. This system consists of layers of insulation, vapor barriers, air barriers, weather-resistant materials, and structural components to provide an ideal air-tight design that prevents energy loss, air leakage, water infiltration, and condensation issues.
When talking about energy efficiency, the thermal performance of the structure is key. A building with good thermal performance—directly related to the building envelope—needs less energy to keep the home at a consistent and comfortable temperature. Poor thermal performance produces condensation, which can lead to mold growth and negative impacts on human health.
Thermal bridges are weak points in the building envelope, such as the walls, where heat can easily escape. These areas can account for between 10% and over 40% of a home's total heat loss. In conventional framing techniques, a thermal bridge is often found along the wooden studs, headers, and posts, resulting in reduced thermal and acoustic performance.
Sound is also transmitted through the process of bridging when a solid object intersects with two objects that otherwise would not have touched, such as through traditional stud walls in framing. To prevent acoustic bridging, the bridge must be removed, reduced, or isolated.
CASE STUDY EXAMPLE:
A cutting-edge energy-efficient technology, the BamCore DuoShear panel system presents an innovative solution to the problem of thermal bridging as an example of how green building materials can be beneficial for both the environment and your peace of mind.
The DuoShear high-performance system is a nearly hollow wall comprised of two parallel runs - inside and outside—designed to be filled uniformly with any blown-in insulation. As there are few studs, the DuoShear framing system reduces the troubles of thermal and acoustic bridging by 90%.
How does all this Relate to the Health Benefits of Energy-Efficient Homes?
There is over 40 years of research on how indoor environmental quality in buildings relates to human health occupants’ well-being and productivity. Indoor environments can actually contain a higher concentration of pollutants compared to the outdoors. These factors can directly or indirectly impact our health through poor air quality and ventilation, poor thermal and acoustic comfort and inadequate lighting.
Science says...
A study by MacNaughton et al. (2018) examined the energy savings, emissions reductions, and health co-benefits of green buildings from 2000 to 2016, revealing significant impacts from LEED certified buildings. The report highlighted $2.68 billion in direct health benefits due to reduced air pollutant emissions. It estimated that green building techniques in the US helped avoid 172–405 premature deaths, 171 hospital admissions, 11,000 asthma exacerbations, 54,000 respiratory symptoms, 21,000 lost workdays, and 16,000 lost school days.
How is this possible, you ask?... The advantages of energy-efficient homes positively impact human health in a multitude of ways:
Improved Indoor Air Quality: One of the most striking transformations we experienced in our home was the improvement in indoor air quality. Unlike our previous dwellings, which sometimes felt stuffy and laden with synthetic odors, our green home offered a breath of fresh air—literally. Traditional homes can harbor pollutants from paints, carpets, and cleaning agents, leading to poor indoor air quality. Green homes, however, prioritize materials and ventilation systems that enhance air quality by reducing pollutants and allergens. Poor ventilation can often result in headaches, tiredness, dizziness, and itchy skin. This improvement in indoor air quality significantly benefits human health, especially for those prone to respiratory problems such as asthma.
Thermal Regulation: In our green home, the days of battling fluctuating thermostats and feeling uncomfortable during extreme weather are gone. Consistent indoor temperatures are achieved through an energy-efficient design that includes advanced insulation and high-efficiency HVAC systems, crucial for physical well-being and mental health. Stable temperatures reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses in summer and cold-related ailments in winter. Poor thermal comfort can result in symptoms such as headaches, breathing problems, depression, and decreased productivity.
Noise Reduction: Another unexpected benefit of our green home was the tranquility it afforded us. The thoughtful design elements, such as double-paned windows and strategic landscaping, minimized external noise pollution. This created a serene ambiance indoors, perfect for unwinding after a long day or enjoying peaceful weekend mornings. Exposure to low-frequency noise can lead to adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease and sleep disturbances. Sound-absorbing materials such as plants, acoustic ceiling tiles, and carpets can also help to reduce the noise level, but it is important to be mindful that whatever is added is non-toxic (and low in embodied carbon) so as not to contaminate the space. This quieter indoor environment promotes relaxation, better sleep quality, and overall mental health and well-being.
Bamcore DuoShear is an example of an energy-efficient building system with outstanding acoustic performance. DuoShear registered at an astonishingly low decibel level of just 27dB – just below a whisper on the Decibel Scale, contrasted with 37dB noise level of traditional stud building techniques.
Moisture Control: Properly sealed and ventilated green homes manage moisture levels effectively, preventing mold and mildew growth. Mold exposure can trigger allergies and respiratory problems, making moisture control a critical factor in maintaining healthy indoor environments.
Enhanced Comfort and Productivity: Cozy, well-lit, and quiet indoor environments of green homes not only enhance comfort and productivity but also contribute to improved overall well-being. Studies indicate that occupants of energy-efficient buildings experience higher satisfaction levels, better concentration, and superior performance on cognitive tests.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
In addition to the health advantages, energy-efficient green homes offer significant economic and environmental benefits:
Reduced Utility Bills: Lower energy consumption means reduced monthly utility bills, providing long-term financial savings for homeowners.
Increased Property Value: Green homes are often valued higher in the real estate market due to their energy efficiency certifications and long-term cost savings potential.
Environmental Conservation: By reducing energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels, green homes contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. This environmental stewardship benefits not only current but also future generations.
Conclusion
Energy efficiency in green home building represents a pivotal strategy in promoting sustainable living and improving human health. By integrating innovative technologies, thoughtful design practices, and renewable energy solutions, green homes create healthier indoor environments, reduce utility costs, and contribute to global environmental conservation efforts. As society continues to prioritize sustainability and well-being, energy-efficient green homes emerge as a beacon of hope, offering tangible solutions to mitigate climate change impacts while enhancing the quality of life for all.
Whether you’re considering building a new home or making upgrades to your current residence, I encourage you to explore the multitude of new and exciting green building options and discover firsthand the myriad benefits they offer. Together, we can create healthier, happier homes and communities while safeguarding our planet for future inhabitants.
In the end, our green home isn’t just a structure—it’s a testament to our commitment to sustainable living and a reminder that small choices can lead to significant, positive changes in the quality of our lives, our health, and the world around us. Please share this blog to raise awareness about the link between energy-efficient buildings and human health!
Side Note: Many people striving for energy efficiency in construction inadvertently use materials with high embodied carbon, leading to an initial release of carbon that can do more harm than good. It's crucial to consider both operational and embodied carbon when selecting materials and designing buildings. To learn more about innovative, carbon-negative building solutions, visit BamCore - Sustainable Building.
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References
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