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New Tech Tuesdays

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Energy-efficient homes have been the subject of so much writing and discussion that homeowners may need assistance making sense of it all. How is the measure of efficiency made? How is it calculated? Will an efficient "thing" I purchase today be deemed efficient next year, or in the next ten years? The terms "smart home" and "connected home" are frequently used interchangeably to refer to homes with internet-connected appliances, lighting, air conditioning, security monitoring devices, and sensors, all integrated into one automated system that can be controlled remotely with other smart devices. Or at least that is the intended outcome.

Here's another phrase to add to the nomenclature of energy-efficient homes: High-performance home.

So, what is a high-performance home?

Sara Gutterman, CEO of Green Builder Media, summarized it best: “It’s a home in which all the elements of the house work together in tandem to enhance the home’s performance.”^[1] Still, what does this mean for the typical homeowner, and is there a true financial benefit to owning an energy-efficient home?

This week, learn how homeowners can take advantage of smart home automation to reap the rewards of an energy-efficient, high-performance home using advanced heat pump technology.

The High-Performance Home

Technological advancements offer a myriad of energy-saving solutions for homes, regardless of age. Implementing these approaches enhances energy efficiency, potentially leading to a high-performance home. Even simple tasks like installing door seal kits and improving insulation yield noticeable benefits, evident in lower monthly electric bills. However, while optimizing energy efficiency in homes is achievable through straightforward actions, achieving true high performance presents challenges.

Cost of Efficiency

Home energy improvements vary in cost, and efficiency is subjective to each home's unique characteristics. Fortunately, homeowners have options to evaluate their efficiency needs and access financial incentives for upgrades. Various organizations offer resources and guidance to assist homeowners in assessing their homes for energy efficiency opportunities.

Here are some independent third-party resources:

• Home Energy Rating System (HERS^®): HERS conducts an energy analysis of your home to produce a performance score. The closer to zero your home scores, the more energy efficient it is. This rating system is the new standard method for the construction industry to model a home’s energy usage.
• Home Energy Score™: This other scoring system, which is part of the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings program, calculates a home’s energy use and costs, then offers recommendations and solutions to improve energy efficiency.
• Passive House: This building method follows meticulous guidelines for buildings that secure airtight enclosures while managing heating, cooling, and moisture for enjoyable living conditions.
• Pearl Certification: Pearl awards your home a certification level according to its high-performing features and reports the value of those features to homeowners, homebuyers, real estate agents, appraisers, and lenders.

Achieving a balance between cost and efficiency entails a thorough assessment of the home’s energy loss, considering comfort and budget constraints. With new strides in heat pump technology, striking this balance is becoming more attainable than ever.

Advancements in Heat Pump Technology

Recent advancements in heat pump technology have been designed to combat freezing temperatures in cold climates, leading to greater efficiency and reliability in frigid conditions. These advancements also offer improved comfort and contribute to sustainability efforts by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in regions with harsh winter weather.

Key advancements include:

• Variable Capacity Technology: This innovation allows cold climate heat pumps to adjust their heating capacity according to specific heating needs, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness in severe weather.
• Wider Operating Ranges: Heat pumps now have expanded operating ranges, meaning they can operate effectively at lower temperatures, ensuring reliable heating even in sub-freezing conditions.
• Increased Efficiency: Improvements in the energy usage of heat pumps have resulted in reduced energy consumption, lower operating costs, and reduced carbon emissions in colder regions that otherwise rely on fossil fuels.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

This week’s New Tech Tuesday features products from Omron Electronics that add safety and efficiency to the latest heat pumps.

The Omron Electronics G6RN PCB Miniature Power Relays offer robust 1-pole 10A switching with a compact 15mm height, 60 percent lower than the G2R model, and consume just 220mW. These relays, configurable with SPDT (1c) or SPST-NO (1a) contact forms and coil voltages of 5, 6, 12, and 24V_DC, feature high switching current capability. With options for plastic seal or flux-resistant protection, high-capacity types provide resistive load ratings of 10A at 250V_AC (N.O.) or 5A at 30V_DC with AgSnIn contacts (Cd free). They boast a swift operation time of 15ms and release time of 5ms, enduring 10 million mechanical operations at 36K operations per hour. Meeting UL/C-UL recognition, as well as VDE EN/IEC and TÜV EN/IEC standards, these relays excel in flammable gas environments and suit applications like heat pumps, boilers, air conditioners, industrial machinery, and factory automation, including controllers, inverters, servo amplifiers, and temperature controllers.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

Heat pump technology improves comfort, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Advances like broader operating ranges and variable capacity technologies have improved the efficiency and dependability of heat pumps, especially in colder climates. These enhancements support the objectives of environmentally friendly housing by lowering energy consumption, operating expenses, and carbon emissions. Homeowners looking to build toward a high-performance house can maximize energy efficiency and raise living standards by utilizing smart home automation and energy-saving solutions, resulting in significant financial savings and environmental benefits in the long run.

Sources:

[1] “What Is a High-Performance Home?” HpHUB, https://hphub.io/blog/h35zr0upt9d2xq76ac48e9fzywaucm.