Today, more people are trying to lead sustainable and environment-friendly lives that limit the harm they cause to the environment. This includes how they design and build new homes or modify existing homes. So, energy-efficient homes are more popular and necessary across the world. Prospective homeowners who want energy-efficient homes must plan accordingly, and custom home builders can help design a home that meets their requirements. Kingsland, Texas-based Sterling Creek Builders explains what factors are considered when building an energy-efficient brand new home.
Energy-efficient homes are designed to conserve energy and reduce its use. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the demand for non-renewable energy sources. An energy-efficient home uses less energy while providing the same protection, comfort, and convenience that a conventional home would. It looks good too. Energy-efficient homes are cost-efficient in the long run and provide healthier living conditions.
The following are factors that help design a structure for an energy-efficient home.
Location
The climate and geography of the location of the building have an important impact on its heating and cooling needs. So, the location is key to the home’s energy system. Home orientation determines how much sunlight the house gets, and the home’s temperature depends on this. How much sunlight the home gets and what time of the day depends on which direction it faces. For example, south-facing homes get more sunlight in the winter but block more of it in summer. New construction homes must be positioned accordingly to reduce heating and cooling expenses. Assessing how trees and buildings around affect the wind flow and shade is also important.
Choosing Building Materials
Building materials like recycled steel, bamboo, and non-fiber glass spray insulation can improve a home’s efficiency. Sustainable building materials, like reclaimed wood, can be used in construction to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste dumped in landfills or incinerators. Using roofing material that deflects sunlight helps maintain a cooler temperature in the house without air conditioning. Custom home builders understand the priorities of homeowners and can help choose building materials that are sustainable and suitable to the region.
Building Envelope
The outer structure of a house is its building envelope. It shields the house from the air, moisture, and harsh weather conditions. It helps to keep the interior temperature at the desired level, absorbs moisture and prevents damage, and lowers the load on the heating and cooling system of the house. Insulation, air sealing, and windows can all help to increase the energy efficiency of the building envelope.
Ventilation System
Ventilation filters out contaminated air, increases comfort and prevents the overuse of appliances to heat or cool the home. Windows and mechanical systems using fans are the most basic ventilation systems.
HVAC Systems
Heating and cooling take up almost half of the energy consumed by an average US home. Efficient HVAC systems help save energy and reduce electricity bills.
Lighting
Interior and exterior lighting systems use electrical energy. Old-fashioned incandescent lamps emit heat as a by-product. Energy-efficient homes use fluorescent bulbs and LED lighting that produce less heat and give more light. Designing homes with windows that let in natural light helps to reduce the use of artificial light that needs electricity.
Using Energy-Saving Devices
Energy-efficient appliances with high-performance technology reduce energy consumption. Refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, etc that are energy star rated help save on energy-related spending. Smart devices like smart thermostats, motion sensor light switches, lighting timers, smart blinds, smart AC controllers, smart kitchen appliances, etc., help save on electricity, and heating and cooling bills. Water heaters that operate on solar energy or with insulated water tanks to retain heat help save electricity.
Designing to Conserve Water
Water can be saved by installing low-flow showers and water fixtures in the kitchen without any functional limitation. They use new technology to reduce the amount of water coming out and distribute it more evenly. Greywater recycling systems that divert wastewater from showers, sinks, and washing machines, to the garden or bathroom for safe reuse. This can reduce water consumption by about 50%.
Using Alternative Energy Sources
From the planning stage, homeowners can decide what alternative energy sources like solar energy can be used in a new home. Discussing this with the home builder helps to find out what alternative energy sources are suitable considering the building structure, family requirements, and geographical factors.
Making lifestyle choices regarding where to live, choice of modes of transport, what to eat, how to shop, etc., all impact sustainable living. A good start to a more environment-friendly life can be from an energy-efficient home. New home construction professionals can help customers make sustainable choices from the planning stage to build a new home that is energy efficient. Sterling Creek Builders Kingsland, Texas, has a team of the best custom home builders in the industry with a wealth of experience. They are dedicated to building dream homes that are customized to meet every client’s expectations. Be sure to contact them by calling 325-603-2426.
