Tips to Build an Energy-Efficient Home

With energy costs rising and concern for the environment, more and more people are expressing an interest in building energy efficient homes. Not only are the effects positive from an environmental standpoint, but they can also positively affect the wallet, saving money in heating and cooling costs. By following a few guidelines in building and landscaping, you can have an energy efficient home.

Tight construction. This type of construction actually helps improve energy efficiency by tightening up the air penetrations through the home's exterior. Most of the gaps are caused during framing. Tighter construction complete with air sealing can create an envelope that improves air quality and keeps outside air from affecting the inside of the house, preventing cooling in the winter and heating in the summer.

Improved insulation. Increased insulation inhibits heat transfer through the home. Carefully installed insulation that is free of crimping, gaps, and compression can help keep warm air in during winter months and cool air in during the summer. When you keep the house from losing desired temperature, the heater or air conditioner is needed much less, and that saves you money in energy costs.

High performance windows. High performance windows are coming down in cost, and even the small amount you pay extra for these can be recovered through energy efficient windows. After all, nearly 50% of a home's heat gain or heat loss is a direct result of transfers through windows. Improved materials that include double glazing and special coatings act as insulators for the glass. You can still see through the window, but they stop heat transfer much better.

Using high performance windows is not enough. It is important to ensure that the window framing is done properly and that it is tight. Low conduction materials such as vinyl, fiberglass or wood must be used for this purpose. Metal is a very bad choice for a window frame because it is a very good heat conductor. Thus, always have a highly probable heat transfer outlet.

Combine the latest energy efficient building techniques with installation of energy efficient equipments in your home. These heat or cool your home interiors efficiently without consuming too much energy. They save on energy costs. Many heating and cooling system companies offer energy efficient equipment that help you lower your energy consumption bills. It is not difficult to accentuate your comforts and save money at the same time.

Landscaping is a very important part of building a perfect house. Landscaping features like trees can go a long way on making your house energy efficient. Trees provide shade and cool sorroundings in summers and block chilly winds in winters. Though fully planted trees act as natural air conditioners they can actually help you save a lot on energy costs.

You can make your home more comfortable and enhance the air quality of home interiors by making your home energy efficient. This helps you attain lower energy consumption bills that weigh less on your budget. Today's technology and capabilities can actually help reduce unwanted drafts by resourcefully landscaping and building home that efficiently uses energy.

Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

Ricky Domalewska runs a very interesting website at Fair Building, visit there today for the latest Building advice, and why not sign up for the free Building newsletter. If you want to read more Building articles go to: www.fairbuilding.com/articles
Don't reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content building article here.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated