Make the right choices as you build your home and you’ll be able to conserve energy throughout the whole year. From the materials, doors and windows you choose to your appliances and HVAC systems, making energy-efficient and “smart” tech-forward choices can have a huge impact on the eco-friendliness of your home and your energy costs. Taking the time to learn more about your options now can help you save a lot of energy—and money—later.
Invest in High Quality Doors and Windows
High-quality doors and windows can help cut down on the amount of heat your home loses in cold weather and can help maintain a comfortable, cool temperature in the summer as well. Choose windows with a high “R value,” which measures their insulating capabilities. Windows that have two or three panes of glass with space in between use the trapped air as a natural insulator; for even better insulation, some windows incorporate a layer of a gas like argon between the panes. Many also have a film on top of the glass that helps reflect harmful UV rays. It’s important to choose a builder who knows how to install them for maximum efficiency. Once your windows are properly installed, adding some insulating drapes or blinds can improve your efficiency and insulation even further.
Choose Solar
Use passive solar heat to capture energy form the sun and heat your home via southern-facing windows. You can also invest in solar panels to help power your home and cut your energy consumption and costs considerably. While it’s possible to add solar panels later in a home’s life, it makes sense to ask your builder to incorporate them into your home from the start, ensuring efficient operation from the beginning and the best integration into your home’s structure and design.
Insulate
You may think you don’t need to invest in a lot of insulation if you live in a warm or temperate climate, but setting your home up with good quality insulation can help you conserve energy no matter what the weather and keep your home comfortable year-round. If you’re adding insulation to an existing home, this chart can help you select the right amount of insulation for your geographic location.
Choose Energy Star Appliances
Kitchen appliances, laundry appliances, and even your home HVAC system can help you conserve energy if you choose products with the Energy Star designation. These units and models have been given the US Environmental Protection Agency’s seal of approval as energy efficient models and are the best choices if you wish to run a truly efficient home. Check out the Energy Star website for tips and tricks to incorporate into your new home or improve your existing home’s efficiency.
Go Tankless
An on-demand, tankless water heater can keep your costs down. A conventional water heater has to hold 40 or more gallons at a high temperature 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—even though you likely only use hot water during a few hours of the day. This needlessly drives up costs and wastes energy. Tankless models heat water quickly rather than keeping it hot all the time. They cost less to operate and have the added bonus of requiring less space in your home.
Automate & Advance Your Technology
“Smart” home technology can help you save money on your energy costs each month. You simply program your smart thermostat to match your preferences and it will automatically adjust each day. You won’t have to remember to turn the air conditioner off, or have to worry about the high electric bill that comes after you forgot and left the system running all day while you were at work. You can also adjust your home’s systems, including your HVAC, your appliances, and even your garage doors from the convenience of your smartphone.
Making the right choices from the start can help you run an eco-friendly, energy efficient home. Your home builder can help you meet your efficiency goals by recommending the right products and choosing installation and building materials designed to help you save. The right builder will not only listen, they’ll be able to make suggestions that will make your dreams of an energy efficient home a reality.
Homes by Brill Des Moines custom home builders will help you plan and install innovative, energy-efficient appliances, fixtures, and tech options to help make your new custom home as “green” and as economical as possible! We can also help you design earth-friendly contemporary landscapes that are low-maintenance and help you save on your water bills. Contact us today to find out more about our start-to-finish home design philosophy and schedule a consultation to get started on your own dream home.
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