Energy efficiency should be a priority when building homes. Not only do new homes have to abide by stricter rules, but energy efficiency has tons of benefits for homeowners. An energy-efficient home will fetch much more on the market, as buyers will love the idea of being able to save on utilities, and some may also privilege homes with eco-friendly features. If you want to get those benefits, there are a few things you’ll have to ensure to make sure that the house is as energy-efficient as possible. Here are a few of them.
Add an MVHR System
One of the best features you can add to make a home energy efficient is mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). These systems use heat exchangers to mix the air coming from outside with the air that is being expelled. This means the air that is heated will be used to heat air that is coming in instead of being wasted. The same thing will happen in the summer with air conditioning.
These systems will allow you to save on energy and will also reduce the strain on your heating and air conditioning systems, increasing their longevity. The most important thing here is that the design of the house facilitates ducting and that the house meets the minimal air tightness requirements for this type of system to be efficient.
Energy Efficient Light Fixtures
Lighting is one of the most energy-consuming components of any house. This is why you need to choose wisely here, especially if you want to add outside lights as well. We would suggest you go with LED lights, as they’re the most energy-efficient and last forever. If you’re looking for great LED lighting, we suggest you visit Any-Lamp.co.uk. They have everything you need with some of the best prices in the business for LED lights. They sell everything from floodlights to strip lights and all sorts of bulbs. They also have tons of outdoor lighting options you can choose from.
Use the Sun
You also want to pay special attention to the house’s orientation so you can get as much of that solar energy as you can. South-facing windows will allow the sun to heat your house, reducing your energy consumption in the winter. Placing light-reflecting curtains over the same windows in the summer will reduce the need for air conditioning.
Also, we would suggest that you consider adding awnings to your property as well. Adding one over a south-facing patio will allow you to reduce your air conditioning costs even further. As a matter of fact, where you place your air conditioning unit will also affect how much energy it consumes. If it’s directly in the sun, it will need to work more. So, you should make sure that all units are on the east or north side if possible, to avoid direct sunlight.
If you decide to build a home and energy efficiency is one of your first goals, follow this advice. Don’t hesitate to ask around and see what other modifications could be made to further increase your savings.
