As costs rise and supplies dwindle, energy conservation is in the forefront of everyone’s thoughts.  When you build your own home, you have the chance to set up an energy-efficient lifestyle from the very beginning.

Basically, there are three components you need to focus on to ensure your house plan will save energy no matter if you are building bungalow house plans or a large luxury house plans.

Insulation

No matter what climate you live in, insulation is extremely important to keep warm and cool air from entering or getting out.  Areas that require insulation include basements, exterior walls, floors, walls, cantilevered areas and ceilings between heated and unheated areas.

Types of insulation are compared according to their resistance to heat flow, known as R-values.  The greater the R-value, the more the insulation will stop hot and cool air from escaping.

The best materials to use for effective insulation are polyurethane and polystyrene, which are called “foam” insulation.  These kinds of insulation may be expensive but they have the highest R-values.  The most widely used type of insulation because it is affordable and versatile is mineral wood, which is a generic term that includes fiberglass, rock wool and glass wool.  Another type of insulation is called “loose fill,” which is made from wood fiber and poured from bags or blown with special equipment into cavities that are difficult to reach.  Although the cost for loose fill is low, there is a higher risk of rot, insect infestation and fire.

Doors and Windows

The majority of heat that escapes from a home is through the cavities in its exterior that are created by doors and windows, so insulating these areas is imperative.  Also, you should use double or triple-pane windows in your house whether it is a cozy bungalow house plan or expensive luxury home plan.

Although multi-pane windows allow as much heat to enter as single-pane windows, they drastically reduce its outward flow.  In fact, double-pane windows can cut heat loss by 50 percent over single-pane windows, and triple-pane windows can actually cut heat loss by 65 percent.  However, triple-pane windows may be too heavy for some window frames and they can be quite costly.

Another way to properly insulate is to apply caulking along window and door frames.  Latex caulking and long-life silicone work best and you should also caulk around your vents, pipes and other perforations in your home’s outer shell.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Selecting the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems for your home will keep everyone comfortable on the coldest and hottest days of the year while saving money.  Many of the energy-efficient items you want might carry the  EnergyStar® logo.  Certain local gas and electric companies will even give you a rebate if you are a homeowner with systems backed by this certification.

Solar Heat

Solar heat is an attractive way to heat your home because it harnesses natural sunlight.  Consider the site you are building and your home’s orientation in relation to the sun.  Position your house so most of the window glass will face south to get the maximum advantage from the heat of the sun.  Further, solar panels may need to be built throughout your home to increase the use of this natural source of energy.

Saving Energy At Home Everyday

There are so many decisions to consider when you build your home, but investing the time to carefully consider your options and investing a bit more in the beginning for an energy-efficient residence will definitely pay off down the road.

Summer is another important time to consider how to conserve energy around your house.  Consider these useful tips to save energy as you go about your daily routine:

• •Summer means shorter nights so adjust outdoor lighting timers to extend bulb life and save money
• •Keep your windows closed during the heat of the day and open them to let in the cool night air
• •Just like mom always said, turn off lights when you aren’t using them
• •If you bake, keep the oven door tightly shut and use the oven light to check on the progress of your food
• •Close off unused rooms
• •Line dry your laundry to save money and get that great, fresh scent in your clothes
• •Wash only full loads of laundry and try to use cold water if possible
• •Only run the dishwater with a full load and use the range hood to vent out heat
• •Use microwaves, slowcookers and toaster ovens instead of the traditional oven
• •Shelter windows exposed to the sun and keep drapes and blinds closed on sunny, hot days to keep heat from penetrating
• •Shade air conditioners from direct sunlight

With all the money you will save in the future, you will be glad you chose energy-efficient ideas when safely and efficiently heating and cooling your home regardless of its size.