Are you looking to build an energy efficient custom home?
Going energy efficient is great on the environment, and on your wallet too. But it is easy to get blindsided by flash new eco-technologies. You don’t want to miss out on some easy and quick ways to improve your energy efficiency.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Read on for 10 energy efficiency tips to help you build your dream home.
1. Use a Tight Seal for Joints & Ductwork
Joints and ductwork are notorious for wasting energy. Improper or poor ventilation can be the result of bad design or poor installation.
This can lead to air leaks and a lack of good ventilation, which in turn causes huge energy losses. It’s also harder to keep the temperatures in your home regulated.
Your HVAC unit will have to work harder as a result, which will see your energy bills spike. With proper sealing, though, this will prevent air from leaking out.
2. Install the Right Insulation
One of the biggest tips to make your custom home energy efficient is to use effective insulation. A well-insulated home will keep out drafts. Your heating and cooling systems will also be able to run at their best.
Effective insulation also stops moisture and air from entering your home from outside. As a result, you’ll feel a more regulated temperature inside. If you wrap insulation around your hot water pipes, this can help too. It’ll allow your water heater to be more efficient.
3. Install Energy Efficient Doors & Windows
Energy efficient doors and windows help you keep the benefits of proper insulation. These will seal openings with a tight fit and use weather stripping.
The upfront cost might be more expensive, but it’s a worthwhile investment. Using inefficient versions can end up costing you more further down the line. Plus, having energy efficient doors and windows will add value to your home.
4. Use Weather-Stripping & Caulking
Lay down a durable caulk around your window and door seams. Even tiny gaps can let in or out all your hot/cold air.
Make sure you’re checking both inside and outside frames. Anywhere you feel a draft, seal it up. You should check where your utilities enter your home and caulk these areas too.
For any areas where an outside door meets its frame, you want to use weather stripping. Rolls of weather stripping don’t cost much. The self-adhesive ones are easy to apply and won’t cause a mess.
Make sure to add high-quality door seals to the bottom of all outside doors. This will prevent drafts from blowing underneath.
5. Pick a Compact Layout Design
An aspect that most people overlook when designing or choosing a custom home is the layout. A smaller surface area will mean less lost interior heat. A larger, more open plan and spread out home will lose heat faster.
But the shape and layout you choose will depend on a few things including:
- the plot of land
- individual needs
- local regulations
Talk with your architect and builder. They’ll be able to help you get the most efficient layout that gives you what you need. But you won’t miss out on this easy energy saver.
6. Home Orientation for Passive Solar Heating
One of the best ways to get an energy efficient home is to get the right orientation. You’ll reduce your energy usage by ensuring you’re getting the most passive solar heat.
A passive solar home will gather heat from the sun through south-facing windows. Paired with efficient insulation your home will hold onto heat for longer. In turn, this will lower your bills.
To use this method, design as many large windows that will face within a 30-degree angle of true south. You’ll get the most surface area possible to keep hold of the sun’s heat.
It will also take advantage of natural light. The more natural light you get, the less you’ll need artificial lighting. This will bring down your energy usage even further.
7. Select ENERGY STAR Appliances
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed the ENERGY STAR rating system. This helps homeowners improve the energy efficiencies of their properties. It has guidance for new and existing homes.
Each product has an independent inspection that looks at savings, performance, and quality. When a product gets that ENERGY STAR rating, you can rest assured the product is energy efficient.
By picking ENERGY STAR products, you’ll make sure your big appliances aren’t a drain. It’ll help lower the amount of energy you use and keep bills down.
8. Choose Energy Efficient Lighting
Even something as simple as switching from incandescent to CFL bulbs can save on energy. In fact, you can’t get 40 and 60-watt bulbs in the US now and the higher watt bulbs are phasing out as we speak.
LED and CFL bulbs are long-lasting, low-cost, and energy efficient. They might be a little more expensive than an incandescent one, but they’re designed to run for longer. This will end up saving you in the long run.
You can install automatic lighting into your custom home. It will turn on lights when they’re needed, or at different times of day that you set.
Motion detecting also works for outside areas or places where lights are often left on. And there are even options where you can control them from your smartphone or computer.
9. Use a Smart Thermostat
With custom homes, you’re getting the most modern building methods and technology. You’ll be able to install the most efficient HVAC systems, water heaters, and more. Another great piece of tech to install in making sure you get a smart thermostat.
When your HVAC system is running rampant, it’ll hinder any efforts at saving energy. In most cases, the smarter the tech that operates it, the more efficient it can be.
Smart thermostats turn your unit off and on as necessary. It will optimize these settings by monitoring your usage and going off that. This way, your system doesn’t run all the time and waste energy.
10. Use a Reputable Builder
These tips are easy to follow when designing your custom home to be energy efficient. But they’re even easier when you’ve got a reputable builder on your side.
An experienced builder will cover these bases, and deliver to a high-quality standard. You’ll have no worries about poor constructions, low-quality insulation, or sealing issues.
A builder who has an in-house build/design process help work out the best ways to be more energy efficient. You’ll get that sustainable home, without compromising on design or style.
Energy Efficiency Tips You Don’t Want to Miss
As you can see energy efficiency isn’t hard, especially when building a custom home. All of these energy efficiency tips are easily applied to a custom home, without needing to break the bank or make any major changes. And the results are well worth it.
If you are considering a custom home in Granbury, Godley or their surrounding communities, contact us today.
