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Energy Efficient Home

Are you sick of paying high energy bills? Well, the key may be in designing your home so that it takes advantage of the natural surroundings. An energy efficient home can save you money as well as helping the environment. Energy efficient homes maximize natural energy sources, meaning that the home is less reliant on electricity and other forms of energy, which can not only be expensive but environmentally harmful. Any home can be designed to be energy efficient and existing homes can be modified to improve their energy efficiency.

Following are some ways that energy efficient measures can be implemented in the home:

Water

Water is becoming increasingly precious with droughts lasting longer and higher demand being placed on our water supplies. A few simple tips to reduce water usage in the home include:

• using appliances that are rated as highly as possible for efficiency in water and power usage
• installing a rainwater tank to catch water that can then be used for things such as flushing the toilet or watering the garden
• installing grey water systems or recycling systems that can re-use water from sources such as the washing machine

Solar Hot Water Systems

Solar hot water systems drastically reduce the amount of electricity or gas that you will use in your home. This saves you money on your hot water bills and helps to reduce pollution. To get the most out of your solar hot water system, it should be installed as closely as possible to the bathroom, kitchen and laundry so that the hot water does not have far to travel. Also ensure that the hot water pipes are insulated and that you have water efficient showerheads and flow restrictors on taps. This means that you will use less hot water.

Passive Heating and Cooling

This simply refers to heating and cooling that occurs naturally, without having to rely on mechanical devices such as heaters or air conditioners. To heat and cool your home effectively, the winter sun needs to penetrate while the summer sun is kept out. As many windows as possible should face towards the north to take advantage of the sun. Consider planting deciduous trees or shrubs so that the sun is shaded in summer but the light and heat can penetrate fully in winter. Use insulation to minimize the amount of heat that is lost from the room and also make sure that any draughts are sealed.

When it comes to keeping your house cool, it is important that the windows and other glassed areas are well protected. If windows are left unshaded, heat gain may be considerable. This shading may be achieved using blinds or curtains, or by strategic planting. Having trees shade your home can reduce the interior temperature by as much as six to twelve degrees in summer.

When designing your home, aim to keep similar areas grouped together, such as the living areas and the bedrooms. Having them grouped closely together means that you have more control over heating and cooling and that you don’t have to turn on the air conditioner or the heater unnecessarily. It also means that you don’t have to turn on as many lights, saving you on your electricity bill.

Lighting

Wherever possible natural lighting should be utilized. This can be achieved through large windows – that face north where possible – and skylights in darker areas of the home that may otherwise require artificial lighting. Where artificial lighting is required, match the type of light to the area that is being used. For areas that are used frequently, such as living areas, try to use fluorescent bulbs as they use the least energy. Infrequently used areas such as toilets and laundries can suffice with normal incandescent bulbs.

Windows

The windows, and their position in the home, can make a large difference to the home’s energy efficiency. Windows that face to the east or the west should be shaded using awnings or shutters, while north facing windows should be shaded with systems that still allow the winter sun to penetrate the home.

The type of window you use also makes a big difference. Using windows that have timber or PVC frames are more energy efficient than windows with aluminium frames as aluminium is a good heat conductor, allowing more heat gain and loss. Also, double glazed windows help to reduce heat loss and gain through the glass due to their greater insulating properties.

Insulation

If your home is well insulated, it can be up to five degrees warmer in winter and ten degrees cooler in summer. It is perhaps the most effective thing you can do in terms of reducing your heating and cooling costs. If your home is uninsulated, it may lose up to seventy percent of its heat in winter, and feel a whole lot hotter in summer! When choosing insulation, you should look at its R value. The higher the R value, the better the insulating effect.

Professionals Can Help

With the range of options available for making the home energy efficient, it is easy to become confused. However, there are many professionals that can help you design the best home for your situation and surroundings, such as building designers, architects and interior designers. They will be able to take your ideas and incorporate them into the house design, as well as suggest design options that you may not have previously been aware of.