How Can You Build The Most Energy-Efficient Home?
If you're fortunate to own a tract of land and want to build your own property, you may be thinking about how you can construct a fully energy-efficient building. After all, you may be particularly concerned with the state of the environment and want to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible while you craft the home of your dreams. So, what are some key strategies to consider as you return to the drawing board?
Roofing
Begin by looking at the roof. As this is a new construction, you may automatically take advantage of the latest materials and building strategies to cut down on waste and improve insulation. Some materials are particularly good at reflecting solar energy, but you should also add an array of solar panels to reduce your overall power costs.
Thermal Structure
Ensure that your walls, doors and windows have the highest thermal resistance possible. All of these products are rated by energy watchdogs, and you can work with your builder to achieve the highest rating possible.
Heating and Cooling
Of course, you'll want to make the inside of your home as palatable as possible during all four seasons, and in this case, you will need to look at the latest type of HVAC system you can find. Here, you may want to think out of the box to an extent by introducing hydronic heating mechanisms. This uses a heat exchanger and pumps water throughout the building through a network of pipes. Or, you may want to think about absorption heating which harnesses the earth's heat before transferring it to the home. These systems can be particularly effective in both winter and summer.
Appliances and Lighting
Ensure that you fit the highest quality appliances that have all been rated for their energy efficiency. And don't even think about incandescent lightbulbs, but introduce LED bulbs throughout the property. They are stronger and will last much longer while using far less energy than those old-fashioned alternatives.
Water Usage
Water is probably the most cherished commodity, and here, you could think about installing an underground water tank. You can then adjust your guttering system so that you harvest rainwater and transfer it to the tank. Depending on the size of the tank, you may be able to satisfy the needs of your entire household this way, but if not, you can always plug into the main supply, just in case.
Getting Further Information
These are just some of the ways that you can build a more energy-efficient home from scratch. Make sure you talk with your builders to get their input and hear some of their ideas. For more information, contact a home builder near you.