7 Ways To Design a More Energy Efficient Home

Whether you’re building your home from the ground up or renovating an existing home, you can use energy-saving techniques to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is beneficial to the environment and your bank account. When you consume less energy, you pay less every month on utilities. Although some conservation techniques require a significant investment, most of the methods discussed below are inexpensive and straightforward to implement.

1. Landscaping

During warmer months, your home’s air conditioner accounts for a significant portion of your power bill. Likewise, in the winter, the bill runs high from using the heater, but if you plant deciduous trees on the side of your home that receives the most sunlight, you can lower your monthly bills. The trees will shade the house in the summer and allow you to use the AC less frequently. During the winter, the tree sheds its leaves and allows sunlight to heat your home. Before planting trees, you can research which species are native to your area. Native trees typically require less water to maintain.

2. Renewable Energy

Most utility companies around the country rely on fossil fuels to produce energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources that contribute to air pollution and water contamination. Recently, both commercial and private enterprises have embraced solar energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. When you buy solar panels for your home, you control the energy production. Solar cells and battery systems are more efficient than those produced twenty years ago. Depending on your location, you may receive money back from the utility company. Most companies guarantee the panels for twenty years or more, and with state and federal incentives, you can save a bundle on the installation costs. If a solar power system isn’t in your budget, you can install a solar HVAC system or a solar water heater to reduce your energy consumption.

3. Fixtures and Appliances

Next to heating and cooling, the lighting and appliances in your home consume the most energy. To reduce the energy consumed by lighting, you can replace standard bulbs with LEDs. LED’s produce the same light intensity but operate at a lower amperage. Since the lights last three times as long as traditional bulbs, you’ll spend less on replacements. For appliances, you can purchase Energy Star models that require less energy to operate. Washer and dryers, dishwashers, televisions and refrigerators with an Energy Star rating consume 10-30% less energy than standard models.

4. Weather Stripping and Caulking

When windows and doors aren’t sealed properly with caulking and weather stripping, air can seep in and raise your utility bill. Improve your home’s air tightness by replacing decayed caulking and installing new weather stripping. The longevity of stripping and caulking depends on the severity of inclement weather in your area.  Hot, humid summer weather and ice-cold winters can degrade the sealants.

5. Insulation

Although inadequate caulking and weather stripping contribute to air leakage and higher bills, your home’s insulation can also significantly affect your energy consumption. Inspect your home’s attic for improperly installed, decayed or missing insulation. A leaking roof or insect nest can damage your insulation and necessitate an immediate replacement. New insulation can save you up to 20% on your energy bill.

6. Ceiling Fans

Another relatively inexpensive way to increase energy efficiency is to install ceiling fans. Depending on the fan’s size and installation cost, you can spend between $130 and $500 on a new model. Fans use a comparable amount of energy as a lighting fixture and allow you to spend less on running your air conditioning. In cooler months, you can reverse the fan’s direction and force colder air towards the ceiling.

7. Cool Roofs

If you need to replace the tiles or shingles on your roof, you can install a cool roof to lower your home’s temperature. Cool roofs use reflective material embedded in the tiles to reflect the sun’s rays. You’ll benefit most from a cool roof if you live in an area with mild winters and hot summers.

Maintaining an energy-efficient home reduces your monthly bills and benefits the planet by reducing your environmental impact.