Create an Energy-Efficient Building With the Right Upgrades

Energy efficiency is an essential factor to consider when designing and constructing a new building. If you have decided to build a new home or office, it is critical to know that you are making the right decisions regarding energy usage. In this article, we will discuss reasons for creating an energy efficient building with the right upgrades.

Seal Gaps

This is one of the most critical steps to making your home more energy-efficient. This step involves sealing all cracks and openings around windows, doors, and skylights so that air cannot escape through them. This will help reduce the amount of heat loss during winter and heat gain during summer, which may result in higher bills if left unchecked.

Install (Better) Insulation

Another way to make your home more energy efficient is by installing insulation: fiberglass, cellulose, spray foam or stone wool (also known as mineral wool) in its walls, ceiling, and (in some cases) flooring areas. The amount and type of insulation depends on whether the house is made from wood or brick materials which absorb heat more quickly than other types of materials like steel or concrete which don't absorb heat as soon as these two materials do which means that they can reduce.

Change Appliances

Reduce your utility bills by replacing  appliances with ENERGY STAR certified models. These dishwashers, stoves, clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers save hundreds of dollars on your annual energy costs. 

Replace Windows

Another way to increase your energy efficiency and lower your electric bills is to replace old and failing windows. Single-pane windows offer very little resistance to cold or heat. Upgrade to double-pane, insulated glass, at least. If you want to raise the bar even higher, opt for Low-E, argon filled glass. If you do decide to stick with old windows, make sure they seal tightly and have storm windows ready to lower during winter months (in northern climates).

Let The Sunshine In

Upgrading a building’s natural light can help increase your happiness and productivity. If you have a home office  or workplace, you’ll really need this extra light to keep you at your desk and focused on your work. To bring the light in, paint walls lighter colors, add windows in dark hallways, or install controllable, energy-efficient LED lights with a natural daylight spectrum to scare away those seasonal blues. Some LEDs can even change the “quality” of the light to resemble sunrise, sunset or mid-afternoon.

Set the Scene

Lighting accounts for about 20% of all electricity used in the average home or business. While this might not seem like much, it can add up over time and become quite expensive. Along with replacing incandescent bulbs and CFLs with LED bulbs, you can create an inexpensive smart system that’s as smart or manual as you want it. Program the system to respond a certain way when you enter or exit the room. Change the color and mood of a room by voice control. Space Age living has arrived.

A Win-Win

By choosing energy-efficient upgrades, and gradually installing them throughout your home, you will save money over time and reduce your carbon footprint. Better insulated, “smarter” homes are also a lot more comfortable. Why suffer through drafts and chills all winter, then crowd around a window air conditioner in the summer? Even out the performance of your house, and it will reward you with lower utility bills, more comfortable living and a higher resale value.

Publisher’s Note: This content is made possible by our Today’s Home Buyer Campaign Sponsors: Whirlpool, Vivint, myQ, Sonos and Jinko Solar . These companies take sustainability seriously, in both their products and their operations. Learn more about building and buying homes that are more affordable and less resource intensive.