Americans spend more than $225 billion a year in energy costs. There are ways to lower those costs and be comfortable at the same time.
It’s a great opportunity to put energy efficiency front and center when you’re designing or building a home. It can make a huge difference to your energy bills and the overall value of your home.
You can even design your home to be completely off-grid, making your home independent of utility companies.
Read on to learn the top tips for building an energy efficient home.
1. The Whole Home Approach
Making homes energy efficient starts in the planning process. Most homeowners and designers approach energy efficiency as individual parts.
They will install energy efficient appliances and HVAC systems to make the home more energy efficient. That can make a difference, but there’s another approach that’s better.
The whole home approach looks at how many people will be in the home, the habits, and energy usage. You then work with architects and other contractors to ensure that the home is completely energy efficient from top to bottom.
2. Use Solar Panels
Renewable energy is a great way to make your home energy efficient. Solar panels are frequently used to heat, water, and power your home.
You’re less dependent on the grid, and you’re doing your part to lower your carbon footprint. As a bonus, there could be tax rebates for installing solar panels. Ask your local solar company about these incentives.
3. Study the Sun
Do you love natural light? There are significant health benefits of natural light. It can help with your productivity, improve your mood, and help you sleep.
The best thing about building your home is that you get to orient your home with the sun. You can build your own wall of south-facing windows to get as much natural light as possible.
You do have to study the sun to get as much natural light in the home as possible. Also, check the area for large buildings and trees that can obstruct natural light.
4. Check Your Insulation System
The insulation you use will have an impact on making your home energy efficient for years to come. You want to make sure that your insulation and build will keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The best way to do that is to use more than one insulation system, such as spray foam along with rigid-foam.
5. Check Your Personal Energy Usage
Once the home is designed and built, there are little things that you can do to make the home energy efficient. Using LED lights is one example. Using a digital thermostat is another.
Keys for Building an Energy Efficient Home
Building an energy efficient home starts early in the planning process. You want to use the whole home method of planning, and align your home with the sun’s orientation.
That will allow you to let in natural light and take advantage of solar energy.
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