Heating and cooling for homes and businesses accounts for a lot of energy use and subsequent energy waste if the building is not constructed with sustainable energy in mind. Moisture and humidity inside a building can cause HVAC systems to be used more frequently to enhance the comfort of residents and tenants.
Designing energy-wise, moisture-smart buildings from the start can allow the systems to not be used as much, reducing energy consumption and bringing down electric or gas bills, especially during the winter or summer months when these systems are used most.
Benefits of Designing Moisture-Smart Buildings
A key factor of these buildings is their ability to control indoor humidity, which means residents don’t have to run their air conditioning and heating systems as often. By prioritizing a sustainable design of natural heating and cooling, they allow for a decreased reliance on HVAC systems. This directly reduces energy consumption, saving money and lowering greenhouse gas emissions that harm the environment.
Alongside this, if the system is not being used as much, residents and/or businesses will not have to pay as much each month for continued heating and cooling. They can save money while also helping the environment.
Building a structure with moisture resistance in mind enhances sustainability by allowing for natural heating and cooling, rather than relying on technology or systems that operate with gas or other harmful chemicals that pollute the earth. It also lasts longer because heating and cooling systems can fail and require maintenance, whereas moisture-smart buildings are more durable.
Methods and Techniques for Achieving Moisture-Smart Buildings
There are many ways to achieve this desired result. It is beneficial to begin with the construction process, ensuring the foundation of the house is sustainable. Residents can add moisture-smart elements to buildings later on, but starting at the beginning is a better option if possible.
Below are a few methods and techniques to construct and refine buildings of this nature.
Planning Intentionally from the Start
As mentioned above, starting at the construction process is a good method for creating a truly moisture-smart building. Moisture can get trapped in buildings and cause leakages later on, which can lead to more HVAC usage in the future.
Building during low precipitation periods. Rain can damage and seep into building materials and create pockets of moisture that go unnoticed by construction workers but end up affecting the building’s residents later on. Storing materials in a dry area when they are not being used also prevents this problem from occurring.
Choosing the Right Material
Choosing the right material is crucial when constructing sustainable, moisture-resistant buildings. Some materials are more sustainable than others. A good attribute to check for is the insulation the materials provide to keep out air and excess moisture.
A good material to consider when building the foundation of the construction project is waterproof concrete. This keeps moisture from seeping in, allowing it to roll right off the concrete and back into the soil or grass where it belongs.
If construction workers are using concrete, materials can be mixed into it to make it more water-absorbent. Attapulgite is highly absorbent of liquids and impurities and can be mixed into concrete and other sealants. It is also a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option compared to alternatives.
Concrete and brick are also common options, as is wood. However, keep in mind that wood can have some potential leakage points that need to be sealed to prevent moisture from entering.
Creating Air and Moisture Barriers
A key aspect to consider when constructing moisture-smart buildings is identifying potential air and moisture leakage points. This sort of construction project requires proper insulation to prevent both air and moisture from entering and exiting.
The areas around windows and doors are common leakage points, so addressing them during the construction process will allow the sustainable materials to do their job. Garage doors are another common point of leakage. Pipes that are not properly insulated can also allow moisture into the building. Sealing them will create a good air and moisture barrier.
Using a Glass Rainscreen System
A slightly more technical way to create a moisture-smart building is to install a glass rainscreen system. This keeps rainwater and other moisture out of the building, therefore keeping the interior dry. It also helps eliminate mold.
Another similar system is a rainwater harvesting system, which collects rainwater and filters it for use by the home’s residents. This also increases sustainability by using natural water instead of water from a communal water provider.
Using Natural Means
Reducing the moisture that causes humidity from the start can be a good idea to avoid the continuous and polluting method of heating and cooling buildings using HVAC systems. Constructing moisture-smart buildings is a more sustainable approach to reducing HVAC use and maintaining a comfortable interior temperature naturally.
Ultimately, it’s about working in harmony with our surroundings to construct buildings that are not only more environmentally-friendly and ecologically responsible, but are also more comfortable and more financially sound.
