Hello World! Welcome Friends! Green building is becoming more and more popular these days. Assuming you have a plot of land on which to build your house, how can you make it as energy efficient as possible?
Start With an Energy-Efficient Design
Before you start building your home, make sure that its design comes with energy efficiency in mind. Consider building your new home on a high-efficiency four-quadrant site with southern exposure. The conventional way of laying out a house is known as the “square on square” method, where the house is laid out in two orientation directions, street and street-facing. Solar business owners and homeowners of solar-powered residences who have worked with www.siliken.com software solutions professionals agree that this conventional method with large windows facing south allows maximum sun exposure throughout the day for solar gain. In addition, homes built on four-quadrant sites oriented toward the southeast will receive morning light from that direction instead of having it blocked by existing trees or other structures. A south or southeast exposure can provide between 50% and 60% of your total heating needs during colder months.
Utilize Natural and Artificial Lights
Many people forget that having enough lighting can actually save costs on your energy bills. If you have proper natural light coming in through the windows, there is no need for artificial lights during the day. Using these throughout the majority of the house will also create a more open and brighter atmosphere. Having some form of artificial lighting in rooms where natural light doesn’t fully reach or in dark corners is ideal to avoid unnecessary power usage. Using LED or CFL lighting will save on electric bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Unplug appliances that use standby power unless they are needed at night (large TVs, microwaves, etc). When using something with remote control (TVs, receivers), use built-in timers to turn off equipment when it is not being used. Also, keep the lights turned down as much as possible – especially if you aren’t there – to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
Maximize Insulation
You can start by making sure that the insulation in your new home is sufficient. Insulated windows will help reduce your reliance on heating and cooling systems, which will save you money in the long run. Keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to living space; large rooms have a higher surface area, so it’ll take more energy to keep them at an even temperature. In addition, buildings – including houses – lose their heat through the roof more readily than they do from their walls or flooring, so consider installing additional insulation there. Also, for the best possible insulation, use triple glazed windows with argon gas in between the panes (which helps to keep the air warmer inside during winter and cooler in summer). A double glazed window can give you about a 15% efficiency improvement, but triple glazings allow another 5-10%. Glazing systems with low-E coatings can reduce heat transfer by more than 50%, resulting in lower heating bills. Low-e coatings work by reflecting heat back into your home while allowing light to pass through them.
Use Solar-Powered Heating or Cooling Systems
If you do have to rely on heating or cooling systems, consider using solar panels to power them. You can use the electricity that they generate directly or – even better! – give it back to the grid. If you participate in a net metering program, this will count toward the energy efficiency of your home’s structure and could potentially lower your bills even further. To bring your heating and cooling efficiency to another level, using geothermal heat pumps is one of the most efficient options available today. A geothermal system can provide up to 4 units of energy for every unit it consumes (more than 500% efficiency). As well, this type of system only requires a 2-3 feet hole in the ground for installation.
Practice Responsible Recycling
At the end of your energy-efficient building project’s life, you’ll want to make sure that it is responsibly recycled. If it contains hazardous materials, this might mean waiting until more refined recycling processes come about; for more ordinary components like paint and insulation, however, there are plenty of programs available. Your city or state should have directories for these kinds of efforts; if not, check out Earth911’s listings.
Recycling helps save space in landfills and protects the environment from irresponsible disposal, but it’s also good for your wallet. Remember, reducing energy usage saves you money in the long run because you’ll need to buy fewer replacement supplies!
By making sure your new home is energy efficient, you’ll save money on heating and cooling bills every month. The smaller the environmental footprint left behind by your new house, the better off everyone will be! By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your future home is a model of green living.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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Planning to Move House – What You Need to Know
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