What characteristic of an energy-efficient home helps in managing energy use?

A properly designed thermal envelope is crucial for energy efficiency because it serves as a barrier that minimizes heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. This envelope typically comprises insulation, air sealing, and moisture control measures that work together to maintain a comfortable indoor climate while reducing the demand for heating and cooling systems.

When a home has an effective thermal envelope, it limits the exchange of conditioned air with the outside environment, ensuring that the energy used for heating and cooling is not wasted. This not only enhances comfort but also leads to lower energy bills as less energy is required to maintain desired indoor temperatures.

In contrast, having multiple windows can actually lead to higher energy costs if not managed properly since windows can be a major source of heat loss and gain. Using traditional insulation materials can be effective, but the performance largely depends on how well they are integrated into the thermal envelope design. Maximizing exterior shading is beneficial for reducing solar gain but does not directly address the overall thermal integrity of the building itself.