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Table of Contents
Passive Designs
Passive Designs
Passive design takes advantage of existing resources and design to cool, heat, and even provide air flow. The video below discusses how these principles have been used since at least the Greek period for heating and cooling, though much older monuments have also been arranged with respect to the sun. Click here to see the Elmhurst Art Museum's Solar Solutions link mentioned in the video.
Building Design
Building Design
Insulation helps keep buildings at more stable temperatures year round, both in hot and cold weather.
Insulating Attics Since hot air rises, this should be the first place to focus on, as it will help prevent your warm air from escaping.
Caulking & Insulating Exterior Walls - be careful about where you do this, as some holes in the exterior walls are actually supposed to provide a certain amount of air flow to prevent mold growth. Insulating the wrong areas may also create mold growth.
Caulking & Sealing windows is great if you have older windows, but upgrading to double or triple glazed windows will help stabilizing indoor temperatures while blocking out noise pollution.
Door Socks These can be made super easily and cheaply, and can help prevent cold drafts from blasting in under your doors in the winter.
Proper attic ventilation helps reduce mold build up while keeping roofs a more stable temperature all year. Click here to learn about more attic-cooling designs, or let us know if there's a better resource we should include!
Darker building materials, roof colours, and exterior paints will absorb more heat than pale colours.
Large, sun facing windows allow more sun light into a home, then appropriate indoor colours/materials can help catch and magnify heat.
Greenhouses naturally catch the sun's warmth, extending the growing season for delicate plants. A greenhouse or conservatory attached to a home can be used to harness the sun's energy, but curtains at night can help maintain the temperature during sunless periods.
Fabric Curtains & Blinds
Fabric Curtains & Blinds
These will keep a building warmer than one with just slat blinds, though blinds will keep more heat in than no window covers. To maximize the heat containing abilities of curtains, you will want multiple layers. A decorative fabric, a thick lining, and regular backing will work, but blackout lining will also reduce the amount of light pollution getting in or out of the building at night. If you live in a warm region, a light or medium fabric should be fine for your curtains, but if you have serious freezes, it would be more efficient to invest in heavier, thicker fabrics including types such as velvet.
If you are strapped for cash, and don't know which room to start with (we made about 1-3 curtains per year which made the place increasingly cozy and cheaper as each set was installed), I'd suggest picking rooms that you spend the most time in, the most upsettingly cold rooms, and/or the rooms with the biggest windows.
Big windows allow the most heat to escape, but if you can close a door and shut yourself into warmer areas those rooms can probably be ignored. It could be worth working out who's room is the coldest and needs curtains more, or if considering communal space, a small curtain bathroom curtain might make morning's less unpleasant, or covering the big living room window might make the most sense if all other rooms lead off from it, and people wouldn't mind gathering there to stay warm. Each year your heating bill should go down, meaning more spending money for another strategic curtain (set).
Open Curtains For Sunlight this is best done when the sun will be glaring directly into the room, which also provides benefits such as disinfecting surfaces, and providing inhabitants with vitamin D which can help stave off the winter blues. When the sun begins to fade or is hitting other parts of the building, close the curtains again to help hold the day's heat inside.
Bubble wrap over your windows can help boost your insultation or be used instead of curtains if you can't install then for some reason (for example if you are renting). It can be put up with clear tape, and if done with bubbles against the glass, and flat side facing the inside of the room, you'll not only create a layer of sun-warmed insulation, but sunlight will still be able to get in during the day to help heat the room.
Double Up If you already have curtains, or can't make or buy curtains with multiple layers right away, you can start with one curtain (set) and add a second in front or behind when you do have more money/time/fabric. We started with a thin, white curtain set for privacy in our bedroom while I gathered materials to sew a triple-layered curtain with interlining and blackout lining. Not only does our thin extra set of curtains help insulate our window better than just one set of curtains, but we can open the set with blackout lining to let in sun, but keep the white, thin set of curtains shut to maintain privacy but still enjoy free light.
Landscaping & Strategic Planting
Landscaping & Strategic Planting
Deciduous trees or bushed planted near a home will loose their leaves in the colder seasons, allowing more sun radiation to warm a home.
Wind Breaks are planted further away from a building and consist of frees that will keep their leaves year round. "Planting a row of conifer trees on the north and northwest sides of your property creates a wall against cold winter winds - saving your heating costs by up to 30%." - Deciduous trees or bushed planted near a home will loose their leaves in the colder seasons, allowing more sun radiation to warm a home.
Click here to learn how to use both of these principles to plan a garden which will make the most of your daily winter sun. This resource includes some diagrams, and talks about how to create an effective design with proper spacing and placement.
Heater Options
Heater Options
High Efficiency Heat Pumps
High Efficiency Heat Pumps
These use a small amount of energy in conjunction with a ground source, water source, or air source component to reduce energy needs in a single device that can both heat and cool a home or other building.
Life Expectancy: A ductless mini-split can last about 20 years or longer, vs traditional systems that last 12-15 years.
Pro: This single device will both heat and cool your building. Uses between 50-75% less energy than standard heating & cooling appliances.
Con: May have to stop periodically to thaw which means it spits out cold air at users during those times.
Solution: The mini split uses energy to de-thaw itself, which unfortunately means spraying some cold air inside the building temporarily, until it can go back to heating. Commenters have suggested building a small roof over the unit to reduce the amount of snow and ice able to coat the intake vent.
Resources/Fuels: Smaller amount of electricity than traditional heaters. An outside source of warm or cold: ground, water, or air. A fluid is used to circulate the temperature.
How Efficient Are Our Minisplit Heat Pumps in the Winter?
11:41 minute video talks about the pros and cons of heating with a mini split device during cold weather.
Click the High Efficiency Heat Pump button to learn more about these devices, and find out about certified installers in your area.
Solar
Solar
Solar energy can be harnessed a few ways including the passive solutions mentions above, solar panels, solar condensers which can be used to heat water and thermal oil, which in turn can be used for eating systems
Solar Panels
Solar Panels
These work particularly well in cool weather, producing more energy in cool weather than hotter temperatures. They can even produce energy on cloudy days in countries like the UK.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar Water Heaters
Heating water uses the 2nd to 3rd greatest amount of a building's energy use. Some types of solar water heaters skip turning radiation into electricity, instead heating water right in the tank, while others use solar panels. Hot water in turn can help to keep inhabitants comfortably warm.
Life Expectancy: Solar pannels have life expectancy of 25-30 years. Mini splits last for 20 years or more.
Pro: This technology exists, though most examples we found were for heating pools. Solar energy allows people to use their heater even off grid or in the event of power grid failure. Solar energy is generally more efficient in cold weather than hot.
Con: This type of technology isn't as easy to find as mini-splits, but Jntech Renewable Energy Co. does offer a solar panel and mini-split combination to efficiently heat or cool a space with solar energy.
Solution: Companies need to scale up production and installations of solar-powered heaters. Schools and governments should scale up education opportunities for people in threatened industries such as fossil fuels, fishermen, and gas furnace installers.
Resources/Fuel: Solar energy. If using a mini-split device then a ground, water, or air source will also be needed.
Explore the following resources to see if there are any programs or providers in your area.
Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps
Solar Power
Solar Power
Electric Heaters
Electric Heaters
These can run on any electricity, including renewable energy.
Kotatsu
Kotatsu
"A kotatsu (Japanese: 炬燵 or こたつ) is a low, wooden table frame covered by a futon, or heavy blanket, upon which a table top sits. Underneath is a heat source, formerly a charcoal brazier but now electric, often built into the table itself.[1] Kotatsu are used almost exclusively in Japan, although similar devices for the same purpose of heating are used elsewhere, e.g. the Spanish brasero or Iranian korsi." - Wikipedia: Kotatsu
Other Tricks
Other Tricks
Clothing
Clothing
Dress in Layers! In cold countries we generally have
Slips or vests over our underwear
Regular layers like T-shirts and shirts/blouses, then come the...
Knitted vests, cardigans, sweaters, and hoodies then
Outer wear including jackets and coats.
Thicker/taller socks, or even wearing two sets of socks inside slippers, shoes, or boots.
Thick tights can help, as can leggings under trousers, skirt or dresses.
If you wear skirts or dresses, layering multiple petticoats (or old skirts) underneath will help block wind and trap your body heat inside your clothes.
Scarves can be a fun accessory, but wrapping one around your neck will help prevent heat from escaping your neckline or cold drafts from getting in. A wide scarf or shawl will work even better if you wrap it around your up and back and chest, over your shoulders. Having the scarf or shawl over your head and ears will prevent heat from leaving your body's highest point, which is important of conserving body heat, especially if you have to go outside.
Hats or hoods will help protect your head from the cold, and ears too if the hat covers low enough.
Laundry
Laundry
Unless you need to wash your clothes on the hot cycle for sanitary reasons, it's generally best to save energy, and protect your clothes by washing them in cold water.
Use a drying machine on a warm or hot setting to reduce wrinkles and to give you something warm to dress in on cold mornings. Similarly the machine can warm up bedding on a cold night. This method is most eco-friendly if you genuinely needed to dry your clothes, and may help heat up the room where the machine is kept.
Cooking
Cooking
An oven isn't particularly energy efficient which is why it can help heat your kitchen. Keep the kitchen door shut to keep the heat in the room if that is where everyone is gathered.
Stove tops are more energy efficient, but still give off some heat. You can use lids on your pots and frying pans to help cook your food faster while saving energy, or you can leave the lids off, and hold your hands over them to warm yourself while cooking.
Toasters give off some heat, especially older, less insulated types.
Hot drinks can be heated a number of ways, with kettles giving off some heat, and the microwave being the quickest, most energy efficient option. Drinking hot or warm drinks can help increase your internal body temperature, and the mug can help warm cold hands.
Eating freshly cooked or reheated food can similarly help warm the body, while cold or raw foods may cool your down.
Bed Time
Bed Time
Use multiple layers on beds. This usually involves a sheet and a duvet, but can include other combinations. Some people sleep naked, but wearing clothes in bed will help keep the warms in your body from dissipating into the bedding.
Bed warmers can be refilled with hot water, and will help keep feet warm.
Exercise
Exercise
Moving our bodies creates excess heat, so simple things from jumping up and down to rubbing your hands might be enough. Make sure to wear water proof clothing or avoid rainy weather, as getting wet will generally make you cold a lot faster than mere wind chill on its own.
Calisthenics, aerobics, and weightlifting can help warm you up. Start with a warm up before doing anything to intense with cold muscles, as this may cause injury. Make sure to do some stretches after the intense stage of your work out to help cool down and prevent future injuries.
Bike Riding should be done in appropriate clothing, and can help warm your body faster than a car heater generally kicks in. Sometimes I have to strip off some winter layers to stay cool, but gloves, and a face mask can help keep you comfortable. I strongly recommend finding stuffing trouser legs into socks or boots, and using long arm sleeves and the wrist of your gloves together to create a seal, which will help reduce drafts.
Jogging is a good way to warm up if you are dressed right, but not a good idea on icy days.
Ceiling Fans, Radiators, & Heaters
Ceiling Fans, Radiators, & Heaters
If you have a ceiling fan with multiple settings, ensure that it spins the correct way. One way will cool a room, and the other direction can help warm a room.
Line the walls behind your radiator(s) with reflective foil. This helps prevent heat from escaping into the walls (and potentially out of the building), by reflecting the heat back into the room which is supposed to be heated.
Service and maintain your heater to ensure efficiency which will help you save resources as well as money on your heating bills.
Heated Towel Racks are a luxurious way to help heat a small space, and or at least ensure warm towels when you are wet, stepping into a chilly bathroom.
Tools & Calculators
Tools & Calculators
North America
North America
USA
USA
Rewiring America: Track Your Local Pace of Progress "These projections from Rewiring America worked backwards from the emissions targets for 2050, and forward from current sales of machines for cooking, water heating, space heating, transportation, and rooftop solar to set a number of new clean electric machines that must be sold each year to reduce emissions from fossil-fueled machines. Type your city, county, or state into the search bar to get those numbers broken down for your area, by each machine category.
While creating this tool, one of things we found is that some individual communities and states are leading the way: their goals are bolder than the rest of the country and so don’t match the path laid out in our data. That’s a great problem to have. So our tool should not be considered the only source of its kind -- but one that reflects only one of the possible paths to decarbonization."
Organizations
Organizations
Energy Foundation helps build a strong, clean energy economy.
North America
North America
USA
USA
The Clean Energy States Alliance "is a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy.
CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop clean energy programs and inclusive renewable energy markets. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country."
Oceana
Oceana
New Zealand
New Zealand
Sustainability Trust: Wellington Curtain Bank "We upcycle pre-loved curtains and provide them to low-income families and individuals in the Wellington Region.
As part of Sustainability Trust’s Housing Advocacy and Support, we offer a range of healthy housing services to help households in the Wellington region live in warm, dry homes.
We can make up to six pairs of upcycled, fully-lined curtains for your whare/home, plus curtain tracks if you need them.
Depending on your living situation, we can also check your house for free, offer energy advice, and discuss health and social support."
Maps
Maps
Europe
Europe
Local Energy Solutions Map "This interactive map shows inspiring examples of how individuals, communities, cooperatives, municipalities, and businesses are successfully implementing energy transition solutions. From solar rooftops to wind farms, discover how diverse and impactful the journey to sustainability can be."
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
Asia
Asia
Livable Cities: Financing Partnership Facility "The urban operations of ADB benefits from the support of notable trust funds, which are collectively referred to as the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. Under this umbrella, strategic, long-term, multi-partner investments on innovative urban solutions are implemented. These investments help to achieve the vision of livable cities." These include:
Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) eligible countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam.
North America
North America
USA
USA
Power Forward Communities "is a coalition of some of the country’s most trusted housing, climate, and community investment groups dedicated to decarbonizing and transforming American housing. We’re saving homeowners and renters money, reinvesting in communities, and tackling the climate crisis."
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