You’ve fantasized about your dream home your entire life. The type of flooring you want, the white picket fence, the layout, and so on and so on. But in those fanciful daydreams, it’s unlikely that most are thinking about how they’ll make an energy-efficient home design. It’s not nearly as sexy or fun of a topic.
When you’ve finally got to the point where you’re designing or remodeling a home to make those dreams come true, now is the time to start asking those questions. This doesn’t mean making a compromise. Energy-efficient home design is all about being functional and making your day-to-day life easier. Here are some ways to consider as you begin drawing up your plans.
Lighting
By now, you’re probably familiar with energy efficient light bulbs. These are becoming more and more common in homes and are readily available in most department stores. But how do you step it up a notch from there? Installing timers and dimmers can have a great impact on your day-to-day use. Also, consider building your home with an emphasis on natural light. Think about where a window could be strategically placed to bring in more light during the day. This means less wattage used and you’ll undoubtedly get loads of compliments. It’s a win-win.
Appliances
Appliances like dishwashers, washers, and dryers can be a massive energy drain on your home. That’s why they need to become a top priority when you start looking at energy efficiency in your own home. We’ve weighed out the pros and cons of Energy Star appliances previously on this blog and now just how much of an impact they can have in the long run. The sticker shock can be overwhelming when you initially buy, but it eventually balances out over the years. What’s better: buying a cheaper machine that’s going to end up raising your electricity bills for the next decade or investing in a slightly more expensive machine that will reduce your monthly costs? Your future self will thank you for choosing the latter.
Water Heating
Can you imagine your life without a hot shower to start or end your day? It’s a luxury that many of us simply can’t give up, but water heating takes up an average of 18% of most people’s electric bills. Changing your habits are a great way to minimize this, but additionally you can invest in a more efficient water heater. Solar powered water heaters are a great way to lower costs and benefit the environment. Heat pump water heaters keep your water hot as it moves through your system instead of heating it up on an as-need basis, which can make a world of difference.
Insulation
While we don’t get the extremes that the midwest has to endure, Seattle winters can be harsh and chilly. Often, this means people turning up their heaters throughout the season. With proper insulation, however, you can preserve the heat within your home and have less reason to use electricity just to stay comfortable.
Final Thoughts About Energy-Efficient Home Design
Ready to design your home with these energy efficiency practices in mind? We can help.
Wire Craft’s team of electricians can help you with everything from finding the right appliances for your space to installation. Give us a call today.
