How outdated energy-saving construction methods almost always outperform new energy-producing technology

Many years ago, before air conditioning and heating, homes were built with good science in mind. They were often made of masonry or rock that could withstand a lot of weather and visits from bad guys.

High ceilings were important in hot climates because heat rises. High ceilings kept room occupants cooler. Those builders knew a little physics.

Well, even the Romans knew some good science. They created the Roman arch for buildings and roads that Patton used in World War II a couple thousand years later. They also built water collectors and pipes to supply water to Rome and other places (unfortunately, they were made of lead pipes. Lead is toxic to the brain). They built thermal baths with wood ovens to heat the water. They even used natural hot springs just like other people around the world.

Many American farmers built houses with south-facing windows and greenhouses to help control temperatures inside the structure.

And many people built houses underground or covered with earth, cellars, cisterns, spring houses, and barns.

People all over the world built structures out of mud and rock that had some thermal mass.

Castles in Europe often had interior wells and water storage because it made them safer and able to support seating for longer periods of time.

So why is everyone so excited about the whole green thing like it’s new science when it’s not? The only new thing in all this excitement is solar panels, which are still far from efficient.

But it seems like most people just forgot about good construction science. We could afford to ignore good science when oil was cheap and there were still enough trees in the world to heat most of our homes.

Those days are over. Do you dread when your electricity and gas bills arrive in the mail? Air conditioning is the biggest expense for many people. But what if you didn’t need air conditioning? A house sheltered with earth is cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

But the biggest indictment of building codes in the US is the poor performance of houses during storms. They literally explode. A masonry, ground cover, or underground structure works much better.

If you live in a hot climate, you don’t want a glass wall facing the midday or afternoon sun. If you live in a cold climate, you want the sun to warm your space.

You may also want a gray water tank for your greenhouse and landscaping so you can grow some food and control your water bill. It is just a container similar to a water heater or cistern. You can even treat the water to make it drinkable. Did you know that some homes in dry zone Texas can capture enough rainwater in a cistern to supply the home for the entire year?

So don’t get too hung up on all things high-tech. All methods of heating, cooling and powering your home will work best if you start with a good foundation. If your home requires less energy to run, it will save you money over the life of the home.

A few years ago we were lucky enough to find a small ground sheltered passive solar house built in the 1970s. It is cheap to heat and does not need air conditioning. We don’t have a single solar panel, although if heating continues to get more expensive, we can buy some. We won’t need many because the house is already efficient. We have energy efficient appliances and plan to get a gray water tank.

Lots of people are building big houses with big expensive solar panels to provide power and they still have to buy more power from the local utility company. It’s a terrible science.

Go out and find some good old fashioned science instead. It’s much better for your money.