Building an energy-efficient home is excellent if you want to protect the environment and save money on energy bills. This is why it’s important to know what tips and ideas you should follow to create the best energy-efficient home. There are always some challenges that can arise, so it’s a good idea to know what ideas you need to keep in mind.
1. Position your home with energy efficiency in mind
Generally, homes facing north will have shade during the summer afternoons, whereas those facing south will have lots of sunlight at the back of their home. If you live in a colder climate, you want to ensure that windows meet the sun so that you can have the most sunlight. These simple strategies will help you bring in more natural sun and energy, thus lowering energy costs.
2. Use a solar system
Getting a solar system helps because it allows you to boost the energy efficiency of your home. In case your region has plenty of sun the entire year, a solar system is handy. Sure, you will have an upfront investment, but there are tax benefits and incentives that will help lower costs. Plus, you will have an energy-efficient home and save significantly in the long run. Solarrun.com.au offers Solar Panels & Battery Storage Systems in Australia.
3. Choose suitable materials for your roof.
The material you use for roofing will help make quite the impact. Metal roofing will absorb a lot of heat, whereas tiles, for example, deflect sunlight. You need to figure out what kind of benefits you expect, and then you can select the best material according to your needs.
4. Create an excellent building envelope
The building envelope is the outer structure of your building. It’s one of the crucial energy systems you need, and it can help protect your home from harsh weather, moisture, air and other factors. Think about the type of insulation you use, as it can help save a lot of energy. Adequate insulation will help maintain the correct temperature within your home while avoiding any energy loss. It will also protect your walls from damage due to significant temperature differences.
5. Go for energy-efficient lighting fixtures.
You can find plenty of energy-efficient lighting solutions on the market now. Fluorescent bulbs and LEDs are great because they deliver more light and less heat. You get to save energy while also getting the amount of light that you may need. It’s worth giving it a try, especially if you want to save money on your lighting systems all the time.
6. Pick the best type of windows.
Some of the heat from your home ends up getting lost via your windows. You want to go with windows with argon gas insulated between the panels. If you can go with low-emissivity coating, that will help as well. Sure, they can be quite the investment from a financial standpoint, but they can save you up to 50% of your bills.
7. Buy a tankless water heater.
It’s safe to say that the water heater is one of those things that consume the most energy in your home. A tankless water heater is focused on energy efficiency, and it’s also low-profile. If you want the best results, a condensing tankless unit is ideal because it reuses the exhaust gas to maintain water heat at the proper levels.
8. Go for a compact layout.
You will notice that houses with compact, simple shapes are the most energy-efficient. The idea is to have a smaller surface area and, thus, less exposure to the elements. When that happens, you save a lot on energy bills. The other benefit here is that you’re using fewer building materials when compared to a home with irregular shapes. These homes also lose less heat during the winter while also being colder during the summer.
9. Use a smart thermostat system.
Using a smart thermostat might sound too high-tech for some people, but it does work very well. You can have a programmable thermostat for each zone of your home, so you can maintain the right temperature and not waste money on energy. The great thing is that most smart thermostats have mobile apps, and you can access them remotely. This means you can change the home temperature from your phone. That way, you have the desired temperature when you get home!
Conclusion
Following these energy-efficient home tips and tricks will help build your home much more accessible. Focusing on energy efficiency from the start can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars in energy bills for the years to come. That’s why following these tips and ideas make sense if you want to avoid any costly bills in the long run!
