Dome-shaped home can stand up to wind

Dear Jim: With all the severe weather and natural disasters recently, I want to build a superstrong house that is energy efficient. What is the most efficient, strong house construction method available? - Bill G.

Dear Bill: It does seem as though this spring has had more than its share of severe weather and the associated damage.

The typical type of house construction in the United States still uses rectangular stick-built wood-framed walls, which is inherently weak. Although with extra heavy lumber and fasteners, it can be made much stronger at a higher cost, there are better construction options if strength and energy efficiency are your primary concerns for your family's home.

It doesn't take an engineer to determine the most storm- resistant and efficient house design. Just look at nature and see what shape animals use most often for their own homes - it is a sphere or a domed-shaped structure, such as a bird's nest, a bee hive, a bear's den.

There are several reasons a dome house is the most energy efficient and the strongest design. The amount of heat a house loses during winter (or gains during summer) is directly related to the amount of surface area of the walls and roof. A spherical domed shaped house has the least amount of surface area for a given amount of interior space. A long rectangular house of the same interior space can have as much as twice the surface area.

Winds pass smoothly over a dome house with minimum forces and pressure differences from side to side. With less pressure differences across the house, there is less outdoor air infiltration into the house. This is also why dome houses often are the only ones still standing after tornado- or hurricane-force winds.

There are several construction methods for dome houses. The strongest and most efficient ones are made from concrete and super- insulating foam. One design uses large, thick, triangular foam panels with a thick layer of reinforced concrete on the exterior and drywall on the interior. A channel in the edge of each panel is filled with concrete and steel mesh to connect them together.

Other non-concrete designs use metal hubs and wood struts that are bolted together to create the frame. The structure is enclosed with sheathing. Another design uses premade insulated wood panels which are bolted together.

Dear Jim: I plan to install a tankless water heater to save energy. I think I will buy it online if possible and then install it myself. Which of the tankless water heater brands are easiest to install myself? - Steve B.

Dear Steve: You are correct that a tankless water heater will save energy as compared to a tank-type unit. I wouldn't recommend trying to install one yourself unless you are a licensed electrician or a plumber.

A gas model requires you run a larger gas pipe to it and an electric one requires larger electric wires and breakers. For the best warranty, buy the tankless water heater from the contractor who will install it.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Topeka Capital-Journal, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

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