Category Archives: energy saving

Learn about innovative energy-saving solutions and tips to make your home more efficient and eco-friendly.

The conflict between natural building materials and modern regulation: how to preserve tradition in the shadow of bureaucracy?

Those who would be able to build a home by custom-building, or in the age-old folk tradition of building in a kalaka* (mutual house building by a community), and who are financially able to do so by incorporating natural materials that are cheap but environmentally friendly and energy-saving, face bureaucratic obstacles. As a result, they are forced to resort to more expensive prefabricated industrial solutions, even if they could, because of their practicality, create their own housing.

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Balaton-Highlands-style thatched half-timbered house – inspiration picture (if you open the article you will find more fairytale houses!)

On the one hand, the bureaucratisation of construction is completely understandable, I believe that this is the way construction and housing security is supposed to be demanded, but on the other hand, if one can experience the bureaucracy of a prosperous country, i.e. as a way to imagine belonging to some developed country, whereas in contrast, for a good part of the population of such a country, it is an undue financial burden, or decades of indebtedness, in exchange for this construction security.

In the old days, people (family and friends) used to build each other’s houses, and the practice of building was passed down from father to son, using simple natural knowledge. True, with much less modern (but more natural) materials, with more puritan living conditions, but more environmentally friendly. Now, with advances in technology and bureaucracy, all this popular knowledge is disappearing. Whereas even in the 1980s it was quite natural to build a family house with a kalak, now those who dare to do so – are slowly becoming some kind of exotic caveman, admired by the people of the internet.

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What can we expect from the future of straw-based construction products?

This is a Balaton Highland-style thatched semi-timbered house, but the masonry could be straw, as it could be hidden under the moulded façade design.

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Natural insulating materials, such as straw shavings or straw bales, have fundamentally excellent thermal insulation properties, but there are several barriers to their widespread use:

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Straw bales and straw chips, can they be a modern insulation solution?

In explaining the advantages and disadvantages of cellulose insulation, the idea was raised that if the thermal insulation properties of blown cellulose insulation are provided by the cellulose structure itself, then cellulose straw has equally good properties.

With the growing demand for sustainable building solutions, alternative materials are gaining more and more attention. Straw insulation and straw bale construction technology both promise environmentally friendly and economical solutions, especially in agricultural areas where straw production is in surplus. This article shows how straw chips and straw bales can be used as thermal insulation and highlights the benefits and challenges of the technology.

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Advantages and disadvantages of cellulose insulation

Insulation plays a key role in the energy efficiency, comfort and sustainability of our homes. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on cellulose-based insulation materials as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional insulation. But is it still a good choice? In this article we look at the pros and cons of cellulose insulation to help you make your decision.

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What is cellulose insulation?

The main raw material for cellulose insulation is recycled paper, which is treated with special flame retardants, usually borate* or boric acid*. Its consistency can be in the form of loose fill, which is applied by blow moulding, or it can be available in the form of hard pressed slabs.

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Wood-burning fireplaces, electric fireplaces, bioethanol fireplaces, and steam fireplaces – which is the best choice, where, and when?

When we think of a fireplace, we generally think of a wood-burning fireplace. Naturally, this is for a reason, as we have been burning wood in fireplaces for centuries. Nowadays, fewer people can do this, as in many cases we do not have the option to change the characteristics of a given apartment, or we simply do not have the time to deal with wood-burning. On the other hand, many people have a romantic desire for the sight of a burning fire, or they wish to experience the radiant heat of a fireplace.

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Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages we need to consider when choosing between the experiences provided by a wood-burning fireplace, pellet fireplace, gas fireplace, electric fireplace, bioethanol fireplace, or steam fireplace:

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Installing wall heating in an already inhabited apartment, under plasterboard or stone porcelain – do it yourself method

We can increase our comfort while simultaneously reducing heating costs.

It is well known that the lower the temperature of the water used to heat the house by our boiler, the more economical it is. This is especially true for condensing boilers. Whether it’s an old open fire or a turbo gas boiler, caution is needed because the return water temperature to the boiler must be higher than the dew point of the flue gas. This is approximately a threshold value between 55–60 degrees Celsius. In condensing boilers, the key is that the return water temperature is as low as possible, as the condensation of the flue gas below the dew point is stronger, meaning the precipitation of water vapor from the flue gas. This precipitation, the change of state, comes with additional energy release. The lower the temperature of the water used to heat our home, and by better dissipating this heat, making the return water as low in temperature as possible, the better efficiency we can achieve in operating our condensing boiler.

Here, the heating pipe is already in the living room wall:

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All of this is fine and good — however, the lower the temperature of the heating water, the more difficult it is to give off heat, as the temperature difference between the room temperature and the advancing water temperature becomes smaller. This problem can only be solved by increasing the surface area of the heating element. Beyond a certain size limit, implementing this with a radiator would be impractical. Especially considering that multi-panel radiators increasingly enhance heat dissipation through convection (i.e., by heating the air) and to a lesser extent through radiation. This is not advantageous, as heat emitted through radiation provides a more pleasant sensation even at lower temperatures.

On the other hand, if we use underfloor, wall, or ceiling heating, we can heat a larger surface area. This warm, radiant heating ensures a comfortable feeling of warmth.

If we want to live in the apartment during heating system improvements (now specifically discussing water heating), among the three surface heating methods, wall heating comes with the least dust, clutter, and inconvenience, using the following method — provided there is available wall space. And there was.

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Energy cost reduction in an apartment block – DIY – window replacement, internal insulation, underfloor heating

Two basic principles:

  1. Produce the energy with highly efficient equipment!
  2. Don’t let the generated energy go to waste!

The transformation of the living room:

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As much as it’s a priority to steer the population away from gas consumption, let’s admit that in an apartment block without district heating (central heating), heating and hot water can primarily be provided by gas, and secondarily by electricity. If many people switched from gas to electric heating, it would also cause problems, as many apartment block infrastructure and stairwell electrical systems are not designed for mass electric heating. Therefore, the possibility of massively increasing the amperage of apartments would also face limitations. Naturally, heating with air conditioning could be an alternative to direct electric heating, as it represents roughly a quarter of the electrical load, but many people do not like the warm air blowing, and the numerous outdoor units attached to the façades are already a terrible sight. For this reason, I believe gas will remain predominant to a greater extent.

But what can we do to keep our gas bill low?
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Do-it-yourself home renovation – window replacement, internal insulation, heating modernization, new bathroom, kitchen, wardrobe – cold and warm flooring

Besides general home renovations – such as replacing cold and warm flooring, kitchen cabinets, and sanitary ware – a crucial point was to create a low utility cost home.

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Because of this, modern plastic insulated glass windows with shutters were installed, and the previous convector heating, open combustion bathroom heating, and the open flow-through domestic hot water unit were replaced with a single condensing boiler.

Since there is zero chance for common facade insulation in the apartment building in the near future, 10cm thick glass wool internal insulation was installed on the enclosing walls, with a vapor barrier heat reflective foil and drywall covering.

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Before you buy a stove, fireplace, or stove-fireplace due to rising utility costs — it’s good to know…

Due to the increase in utility costs, many people are considering wood heating as a replacement for gas and electric heating. In reality, it’s normal to think about winter heating in the summer, but most people seek a solution in winter when the trouble has already begun. Be careful not to focus only on cheaper offers. With quality and attention, you can save on firewood. Wood heating can be economical, but it can also be environmentally polluting and wasteful.

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When selecting our wood-burning device, it is important to consider the following:

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Vintage style enthusiasts don’t have to give up energy-efficient lighting

Just as various interior design styles draw inspiration from the trends of bygone eras, so too does the nostalgia for older lighting forms emerge. With pendant lights, chandeliers, and other traditional-looking lamps, the variations seem endless. However, the question arises: what light sources should we use to ensure these lights appear authentic while also being energy-efficient? The so-called Edison bulbs from around the 1920s evoke the most emotion among those interested in older styles. These bulbs had relatively weak light, glowing dimly with a nearly golden hue. The plentifully used filaments, arranged in various winding methods, created uniquely beautiful shapes. Because they didn’t glow too brightly, we could admire the play of the filaments. The glass bulbs protecting the filaments also came in much more varied shapes compared to today’s mass-produced world.

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Note: While we mention vintage style in the title, the fixtures in the images are not. Focus on the light sources, not the chandelier!

This is why the old bulbs had a strongly yellowish light; we could look into them because energy efficiency was not a concern – longevity was more important. Energy efficiency? They were happy to have electric lighting at all. They glowed weakly, with a color temperature between 1800-2600 Kelvin. For the sake of authenticity, similar bulbs are still made today with similarly energy-wasting consumption. If someone chooses these light sources for their entire home and relies on them to meet modern lighting needs, they might be surprised by the significant increase in their electricity bill.

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