Why do we continue to build homes that waste energy?

Question

The most energy efficient shape is a sphere. Geodesic domes provide the largest volume (living space) with the smallest surface area (surface area is what loses energy). Why do people continue to build square or rectangular homes which are the worst shape for emitting energy - most wasteful?

Most of the answers here are simply incorrect. Geodesic domes are not harder to construct, do not waste any space, and aesthetically they are more pleasing than conventional right angle architecture - really the beauty is in the finish not the shape of a home. The only real problem with a dome is that you must take extra care to seal all the joints since there are many more of them. If you do that you won't have any problem with leaks. The cost factor is not that much greater than conventional construction and is heavily outweighed by the fact that you will save on energy costs over the long run.

JB has the right answer. We simply cling to tradition - wastefully.

Slinky - geodesic domes do not have 'round walls' they are 10 sided, the walls are flat. Furniture fits just fine.

Answer 1

Because we wastefully and stupidly cling on to tradition.

Answer 2

Here in the UK the Government regulates every housing plans and perhaps those fat farts knows nothing about those geodesic domes.
But geodesic domes have problems too building materials normally come in rectangular shapes; there can be considerably more scrap, left from cutting rectangles down to triangles, than with a conventional building approach, thus driving costs up. Fire escapes are problematic, Air stratification and moisture distribution within a dome are unusual, and these conditions tend to quickly degrade wooden framing or interior paneling. Privacy is difficult to guarantee because a dome is difficult to partition satisfactorily. Sounds, smells, and even reflected light tend to be conveyed through the entire structure. As with any sloping shape, the dome produces wall areas that can be difficult to use and leaves some peripheral floor area with restricted use due to lack of headroom. So my friend it is not good to condemn that you think is wrong for what you believe is right may be the greater wrong.

Answer 3

Actually a sphere or hemisphere will provide the smallest surface area for a given volume. The surface area to volume ratio will be slightly higher for a geodesic dome. The geodesic dome gives the lowest mass for a given area. This is because most of the surface is not structural and can be made very thin. Thus, the geodesic dome requires less material than a hemisphere, but it will have a higher surface area.

Answer 4

We build homes that waste energy because even though the buildings are designed with temperature, it couldn't be verified. It is hard to comprehend with today's technology that buildings are signed off as compliant and insured. Architects design with the greatest of accuracy except it is completed in a calculator. Those design temperatures calculated determine the amount of energy consumption, mold, fire integrity, emissions, etc.

The process has the best of intent but when you think of the entire process being bidded, the end result can be horrible for home owners.

The sphere or any building is going to use energy depending on the design of the heating system, the placement of the heating system, thermostat location, wall insulation and solar gain.

The best example is a highrise apartment building, brand new, lakeshore, geo thermal energy and energy concern so significant an engineer has asked me for a quote to show a visual of how and where they are losing energy.

These very expensive apartments have a heating design problem off the start. The geo thermal cheaper energy has heating ducts in the ceiling with the heat registers in the ceiling. Heat rises so the apartments are heated from the top down. The owners are cold because they are standing on a cold concrete mass while they try to heat the apartment from the roof down. This whole design is a disgusting representation of geo thermal energy where if they had put the heating in the floor, it would be comfortable immediately.

I visited an old house yesterday where the owner put heating in the floor, used ceiling fans and the comfort was incredible and energy efficient. Amazing to fail the highrise and pass the house.

Buildings are built square and rectangular for simplicity. All material is shaped and sized to accomodate that design. I know someone that did a dome home and it was great, they needed to satisfy the municipality that the dome design meets the climate criteria locally.

You are right about the waste in woodframe construction. People need to understand the exterior of your building is a big umbrella, that's it. Why spend wealth on the outside of the building when in fact it just makes your construction design more complex for energy consumption.

FYI, the company at the links provided is taking forward 17,000 hours of research that will allow municipalities and home owners to see whether a building is functioning as designed.

Go to http://www.thermoguy.com/globalwarming-heatloss.html to see the heat loss function of the building. Go to Go to http://www.thermoguy.com/globalwarming-heatgain.html to see the other function of a building in the summer.

Answer 5

it's partly the consumer fault, if there was a demand then builders would of course provide it.... also home builders look at the rewards such as profit, the geodesic domes would save the buyer more money but the builders would have a smaller profit margin as i'm sure the geodesic domes cost more to construct than a regular house. In the end it all comes down the mighty dollar. The builders construct rectangular home because they'll make more money out of it.

Answer 6

Geodesic has been tried many times.
1. People simply don't like the way they look
2. They waste a lot of outer wall, wall space.
3. They are very hard to prevent roof leaks.
4. Conventional building materials must be custom cut and assembled.
5. Windows and doors are hard to fit and seal from leaking

Answer 7

I found domes attractive since they were popular in the 70's, but now lean more toward earth sheltered. I like the idea of gardening my roof. It may be cost for most of us answering here, but that is not valid since many have plenty of money and won't stop wasting energy.

It is a societal phenomena. We copy each other like lemmings and wastefully leap off the cliff. Those who have money are the most wasteful of resources like hogging land and huge mansions for one or two persons. The future is irrelevant to most people, only surviving the day or flaunting wealth, not conserving.

Answer 8

Because it's the law. Bureaucracies can shut down just about anything they want to if the people don't rise up and telll them where to go. Also, contractors are more familar with standard construction methods. Then there's the initial cost of most green technologies. It's simply going to take time and commitment. But the biggest hurdle is govermnent regulation.

Answer 9

Because we still have a capitalistic free market economy is why, and people don't want to be forced into buying something they think is aesthetically inferior.

Actually you are technically correct though, and I'll go one step further: the most efficient would be a massive geodesic dome apartment complex, all of the internal cubicles would be insulated by the ones on the outside.

Answer 10

One must change the industry slowly-I keep wondering why the idiots continue to munch in home next to home when we'd all be willing to pay for a bit more LAND too. In California, we have our bad things, but the industry rules on insulation, appliances and lighting etc are far far higher than say-North and South Carolina or Georgia- at least a few years ago when I worked in the industry. I think we need to start there-with the building materials, and work out-

Answer 11

In my state we really don't care about the environment :( .
We build new homes cause that's just what the "Middle Class -SUV driving women want Lil McMantions to show off to there friends and family . They get those homes cause thy will brow beat there husbands into co-signing 700, thousand dollar homes on a salary of 126,000 combined. The sad fact is we are destroying our environment with this stupid azz growth instead of smart growth. In the city there are miles and miles of abandoned property that could easily be mixed-use business and residential.....there are a few developers out there really trying to use solar panels, green (literally)roof tops, and spheres but folks that are buying just want the same ugly azz Colonial in the County like Susan.....