3 Aspects of Energy-Efficient Home Design

Energy efficiency is usually a primary concern for a large number of people who are building a home. Because of this, the concept of energy-efficient home design has become a mainstream feature in today's construction industry.

With this in mind, one is bound to be curious about what it takes to make their home more energy-efficient. In this article, a few aspects of energy-efficient home design are discussed in greater detail.

Incorporation of Renewable Sources of Energy

One of the best ways to achieve energy efficiency in both the residential and commercial set up is to embrace the use of renewable energy sources. Examples of these include solar- and wind-generated power.

Incorporating either of the mentioned sources of energy into your home design is sure to have you ripping the many benefits of energy-efficient home design.

Solar panels for residential use are increasingly becoming more affordable, and some jurisdictions even offer tax reliefs to homeowners who invest in renewable sources of energy. This is done to encourage the use of clean energy sources.

Solar panels are a great option if you have a flat roof, for example, and a wind turbine is a great option if you have sufficient space for its installation within your premises.

Proper Residential Insulation

Another important aspect of energy-efficient home design is the proper insulation of fixtures and fittings that are installed around the house.

For example, attics and crawl spaces are known to be one of the main avenues for the loss and/or gain of energy around the residential area. Proper insulation of the mentioned areas helps to prevent the involuntary loss of energy. Fibreglass batts, mineral wool and cellulose are among the various items used as insulation in residential buildings. Your home builder will be in a position to explain the merits and demerits of each type of insulation in order to assist with the decision-making.

Landscaping

Energy-efficient home design is not simply about appliances and fixtures. It also involves the creative use of landscaping in order to achieve energy savings.

For example, trees that are expected to grow tall and large are best planted on the side of the house that holds windows that are most exposed to sunlight. On the other hand, flowers and small shrubs are a better fit for the side of your house that is not as exposed to sunlight.

Apart from the undisputed financial savings of energy-efficient home designs, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you're contributing to a healthy environment for the future generation.

Contact local home builders to learn more.