Energy-Efficiency Tips for Building and Renovating

Today, more and more people who decide to build or renovate their house choose to go green and improve the energy efficiency of their homes as well. In this day and age, it’s extremely important to be environmentally aware, because of the constant climate and environmental changes caused by pollution, resource exploitation and unsustainable energy consumption. So, if you’re planning to build a new home or give your old house a makeover, here are some energy-efficiency tips you should consider.

Take advantage of passive solar energy

Probably the most important thing you must think about if you want to conserve energy is good insulation. Around 50% of all energy consumption in the household goes on cooling and heating, so don’t let all that energy and money go down the drain because of bad insulation. If you want to put a stop to heat loss, you must take care of air leaks around doors, windows and air ducts. Proper insulation will also keep your home at an optimal temperature throughout the year, thus lowering your electricity bill.

Another great green building tip is to exploit passive solar energy. Most of the people don’t know about this neat trick even though humans around the globe have been using it for thousands of years. So, what is passive solar? While active solar refers to the use of solar panels to collect energy to produce heat and distribute it around the building, passive solar uses the design of the home to take advantage of solar energy. The house that employs passive solar is designed to let as much sunlight in as possible during winter and provide sufficient shade during summer. This way you can save energy and money on both heating and cooling your home.

Install Better Windows

Even though installing new and energy-efficient windows isn’t a cheap investment, it’s an investment that makes a huge difference. If you live in the area with extreme weather or experience all four seasons during the year, you must have noticed that sitting near the window in winter and hot summer is everything but pleasant. This is probably caused by major air leaks and improperly insulated windows. Energy-efficient windows can help minimize your heating, cooling and lighting costs.

Use Landscaping to Your Advantage

If you want to become even more energy-efficient, you must protect your home from the scorching sun in the summer and take advantage of that same heat in the winter. Plant trees with big canopies on the southern and western side of your house. In the summer, branches and leaves will block the sun, and in the winter when the leaves fall off, they will let the rays reach your home, thus keeping it cool and warm depending on the season.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances

This one is a very easy and cheap way to become more energy-efficient, no matter if you’re building a new house or renovating your old one. Even though LED and CFL bulbs cost more, they use less energy and last longer than traditional bulbs, which means they actually save you money and conserve energy. Also, you can consider installing light switches with dimmers to save some extra energy. So, find an experienced power electrician who will do all the necessary installations and make your home more energy-efficient.

Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances

Old house appliances weren’t designed with energy efficiency in mind, so they consume much more energy while operating. However, new energy-efficient fridges, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers with the Energy Star label use much less electricity and water for the same chore, thus conserving energy and saving you money. You can also invest in an Energy Star cooling and heating equipment and smart thermostats. This way you can save hundreds of dollars on your energy bill every year.

Building or remodeling your home to be more energy-efficient will lower your energy bill and make your home much more comfortable for living. So if you do go green, future generations, our mother Earth and your wallet will be much obliged.