A redesign in home construction could lead to more energy savings, says a new research conducted by Ryerson University.
A redesign in home construction could lead to more energy savings, says a new research conducted by Ryerson University.
According to the study, homeowners could save up to 80 per cent on energy consumption, with simple changes and installing a heat pump.
Researchers are exploring the practicality of the Nested Thermal Envelope Design, a home construction design that uses zonal heating.
Russell Richman, an architect professor at Ryerson University, says the design aims to insulate each room before insulating the entire home.
“Zonal heating is just a house within a house, or a box within a box,” he said.
The design breaks down the home into two sections; the perimeter and the core. The core includes living areas such as, the kitchen, living room and bedrooms. The perimeter is defined as less-frequently used spaces including, dining rooms, sunrooms and secondary bathrooms.
A heat pump then delivers heat that is lost to the perimeter back into the core before it escapes to the home’s exterior. The design, created by Richman and University of Toronto professor Kim Pressnail, started when the pair started to experience heat loss in their homes.
The research will enter the next stage this winter by implementing the nested thermal envelope design to a downtown home.
“There are so many research questions to be answered with the house,” Richman said. “It’s always exciting to take theoretical research and turn it into practice.”
DCN DIGITAL MEDIA
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