It’s important to keep in mind that foundations are extremely important to all homes and especially important to the home that you may plan on heating with solar power. Foundations provide a solid base on which the structure sits, resisting movement and keeping the structure away from moisture on and in the ground.
Some of the more traditional methods that are used to build foundations are not the most energy efficient, and when you’re considering building a home that is environmentally friendly, you should look into the more green options for the foundation as well. The more traditional slab on grade foundations are known to leak substantial amounts of energy and they are therefore not the first choice of the environmentally conscious builder. This inefficiency results partially from the fact that concrete is a poor insulator.
One of the steps that the builder can take to rectify this situation is to insulate the concrete foundation. This makes the foundation not only more efficient in the winter season but it makes them better in the hotter weather as well by keeping the cooler air trapped inside. Especially when you’ve decided to build a passive solar home, it’s important to remember that the concrete must be insulated in all but the warmest climates. Not only does the proper kind of insulation make for a better environment, but it also helps the concrete in the foundation to last longer by keeping it from the elements.
Remember that insulation adds to the cost of the construction program, but the benefits far outweigh any additional capital outlay because an un-insulated foundation serves as a major avenue for heat to escape. It’s also important to remember that basements can be insulated from the inside using a variety of products that includes rigid foam or bubble installation. Generally there are two options, but external installation is the easier and cheaper choice when dealing with a new construction.
One of the problems when attempting to externally insulate a new foundation is the fact that the foundation itself can be exposed to damage or pest infestation. To control this problem, the experts recommend that you use an insect repellent on whatever kind of material you are insulating with. You should even know that some codes require that you use an insect repellant.
To reduce heat loss through the ground, more and more builders are using insulation that affixes to the inside rather than the outside of the foundation walls. This type of insulation thermally protects the foundation from the outside elements.
Overall, the things that we do to cut the amount of energy that we use to heat our homes is beneficial for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the less electricity and fossil fuels used, the less of a carbon imprint is left.
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