Energy Efficient Home

Here are tips and hints for building and renovating into an energy efficient house.

That means that you'll save money on your home energy bills.

This page will focus on building and renovating tips for creating an energy efficient environment. For every day energy saving tips, go here.

There are several things that contribute to an energy efficient home design. Ability to control temperature in your environment plays a big role toward energy efficiency and your most effective tool here is the liberal use of insulation. Floors, walls, ceiling. More is better where insulation is concerned and it'll pay you back handsomely in the coming seasons. Whether you're trying to keep heat in or out insulation is the biggest influence.


OK, that said , there are all kinds of other ways to make your home energy efficient including conserving energy at home.

All of our tips for an energy efficient home design are to help create an environment in your home that makes use of fewer fossil fuels. There are tons of things that can be done to utilize natural resources to energize your home. Check out our page on energy conservation tips for some simple strategies for reducing energy consumption and saving money at the same time.

Energy Efficient Home Strategies

• Lot Purchase ~

  Choose a lot that has plenty of exposure to natural elements that can produce power. A sunny lot for collecting solar energy, windy areas are ideal for producing wind power, a stream that runs year round can be put to use making hydro power




• Let the Sun Shine in ~

  In cold climates with moderate summers windows should be most in evidence on the South side of your home and minimal in the North, West or East. Remember that windows also allow for the escape of heat when the sun isn't shining which is most of the time in winter. Shutters or insulated window coverings trap wanted heat inside. Ideally the area that south windows occupy should equal no more than 12% of the home's square footage.




• Covered Verandas ~

  In hot climates keep most windows facing north and cover patios with deep overhangs to prevent the sun from overwarming your home. Situate patios on the north side of the house and cover east and west windows with insulating drapes or shutters.




• Create a Mudroom or Entry Area ~

  A great deal of temperature exchange occurs when opening and closing doors. A separate mudroom or entry prevents hot or cold air from escaping or invading your living area.




• Veritcal Glass is Best ~

  Although sloped windows and skylights allow a lot of light in and work wonders in the right areas, you have little control over when, how much and where the light is directed. Too much light in the wrong areas can make it difficult to work or to view television and computer screens and damages furnishings and floor coverings. Also, although light and heat is allowed in during the day skylights provide a route for heat to escape at night.




• Insulate, Insulate, Insulate ~

  It may not be the sexiest part of energy efficient home design but insulation plays a HUGE role in keeping home temperatures comfortable. Wherever possible use more (as much as 50% more) than recommended by most builders particularly in the attic. Insulation is the most cost effective aspect to an energy efficient house.




• Ventilation ~

  Adequate ventilation prevents moisture and mold accumulation inside the walls and creates a more energy efficient home.




• Avoid High Ceilings in Cool Climates ~

  They're lovely aren't they? The higher the ceiling the more difficult it is to keep the warm air where you want it. Because heat rises it's nice and warm near the ceiling, trouble is it's not doing us a lot of good up there. Fans can be noisy, they require electricity to run and need maintenance. On top of all that they don't work very well in high ceilings.




• Window Overhangs ~

  Awnings and window overhangs (If you're clever you can design solar panels into your south facing overhangs) prevent the strong overhead summer sun from gaining entrance and heating the home when you don't want heat but when the winter sun hangs low in the sky the rays are allowed into the interior.




• Avoid Evergreen Trees in front of South facing windows ~

  Most deciduous trees (leaves fall off in winter) provide shade to the windows during the hot season but allow the sun's rays entrance during the winter. Also ensure that trees and plantings will not shade solar panels. Even a small area of shade on a panel can dramatically reduce it's output.




• Follow our Energy Conservation Tips and Techniques ~

  to reduce the everyday impact your family has on the environment.

Add Solar Panels, Wind Turbines or turn a stream into a hydro power plant

Starting with a super energy efficient house design such as straw bale or an underground dwelling obviously helps a great deal. The insulation factor in these types of homes keeps the hot or cold air where you want it and the inside temperature relatively constant. It takes significantly less energy to keep the space at the desired temperature. Add to this an array of solar panels and/or a wind generator and you're well on your way to an energy efficient home that will save you money and the earth from a treadmark.