What Building Materials Will Help HVAC Performance?

There are all sorts of ways to save energy when heating or cooling a home. Among the biggest factors, though, are how a building is designed and what it’s made of. What are the best HVAC building materials to use in construction that can help regulate temperature using less energy? There are a number of options — some centuries old — and others on the cutting edge of modern technology.

The Old

Long before people had AC or gas furnaces, buildings were designed to optimize natural heating and cooling. To accomplish that, many structures were built of stone and brick. They’re sturdy and last a long time, but that’s not their only benefit. These materials are also great at absorbing heat.

In the summer, stone or brick walls absorb the heat in your house so that it cools down faster. In winter, they do just the opposite. By absorbing the heat from the sun, they’ll transfer that heat into your home, reducing the amount of time your furnace needs to run to get to your ideal comfort level.

The New

In addition to the tried and true methods, brand-new HVAC building materials are currently being developed to save even more energy. Smart building materials can regulate a building’s temperature based on nature and biology.

Warm-blooded organisms have what’s called homeostasis. Whether we’re in below-zero temperatures or it’s over 100 degrees, a person’s internal body temperature remains around 98 degrees. What if a building could do the same thing: maintain the same temperature inside regardless of external conditions? The amount of energy you’d need to heat or cool your home would be close to zero.

Scientists also hope to use these gel-like smart materials to control humidity, light, pressure, pH balance, and a host of other factors. They’re currently still in development, as researchers try to make them durable, sustainable, and cost-efficient, but perhaps someday soon, low-energy, self-regulating environments will become a reality.

For more help with HVAC building materials and other home-comfort issues, contact us at CCAC. We’re the trusted source for heating and cooling solutions in Corpus Christi.