To lower environmental impact, save on taxes, or even to align with personal beliefs, more and more people are striving to build and buy energy-efficient homes. You might be asking yourself, if it is really worth it in the long run.
An energy-efficient home will allow you to use less electricity and gas, so the cost of cooling down your home will significantly go down. You might also be able to save on taxes. Florida has an incentive program that could improve your mortgage rate, allow you to get specific loans and get tax credits for having an energy-efficient home. Adding energy-saving features will also add value to your home. In case you want to sell it down the road, it will be more competitive in the market. And finally, of course, having a house that doesn’t overuse energy will lower your carbon footprint and help preserve the environment.
So yes, from an environmental and financial point of view, having an energy-efficient home is definitely a plus.
Whether you’re building a new home or are renovating an older house, four key elements--the building envelope, HVAC and air movement, lighting and water systems--are the basis for building an energy-efficient home.
The “building envelope” is a technical term that designates the separation of the outside and the inside of a building. This is the most important element of an energy-efficient home, since it’s the envelope that prevents energy from getting out so it should be "tight".
The envelope consists of the:
These can be made more efficient by using structural insulated panels or insulated concrete forms. These add an extra layer of protection against outside elements and temperatures that would otherwise get in through a regular concrete foundation.
Similar to the technology used in your foundation, a builder with energy-efficient experience will know to use specific insulating panels that can also double as wind-resistant (for hurricane season).
These tend to let out the most energy in any home. Since they are supposed to be opened regularly, it’s vital to ensure they properly seal your home’s envelope. Broadly speaking, energy-efficient doors and windows usually feature double-panels to increase insulation, as well as high-quality framing that won’t degrade with use.
Once you’ve made sure your building envelope is properly insulated, it’s time to figure out the heating and cooling system.
To avoid overpaying for features you won’t need and ensuring the most energy savings, it’s important to get the right HVAC model for your home and your needs. So, for example, if you’re building a home in Florida or anywhere else with a subtropical climate it’s important to have a good cooling system. In general, you’ll want to get a high-quality heat pump, since they are very efficient at both cooling and heating a home.
During HVAC installation, foam is applied to provide both thermal and sound insulation. Most HVAC systems use expanded polypropylene foam (EPP), but there are different types. To reap the most energy-efficient benefits you should ask your builder to use medium-density.
Up to 20% of conditioned air is lost moving through your home’s duct system before even reaching all your spaces. To prevent this, sealing your ducts and repairing any leaks is essential. Duct sealing and timely repairs will keep your system functioning at peak performance. Do a full maintenance check every year, or more often if you have an older refurbished system.
After heating and water, lighting will be the most energy-hungry feature of your home. To make sure it’s as efficient as possible, here are our best recommendations.
This is one of the best ways of cutting costs on lighting and heating. Use windows wisely. In hotter climates like Florida, south-facing windows can let too much heat in during the summer. In contrast, places that have long winters would benefit from south- or west-facing windows.
This is an easy switch that can be done in any home. Just by swapping regular fluorescent bulbs for LED ones you’ll be able to use the same amount of light for less money. Considering light bulbs take up around 15% of your home’s electricity, it’s a smart move to lower your consumption without interfering with your quality of life.
Creating alternative power sources can dramatically lower your utility bills and also make your home more sustainable. Nowadays, you have several different options such as solar panels, small-scale wind electric systems and even micro hydropower systems. For Florida residents, solar panels on the roof is one of the best investments you can make.
Although the main water sources of your home will depend on your area, be it a city water system or a well, you have some control over the systems that treat water at home.
If you have hard water, a water softening system is a must have to keep your pipes happy. Although these systems don’t use up as much energy, it is important to keep them efficient to reduce your home’s environmental impact and optimize your water consumption. According to a research project at Yale University, osmosis systems use less power and effectively use water, without wasting a single drop. It's always a good idea to filter water from a well. Wells are notorious for containing lead and other elements in concentrations unhealthy for consumption.
The water heater is one of the biggest energy consumers and producers in your home and the type you use is key to keeping your house energy efficient. The US government recommends to start by selecting a heat water based on your area's best available energy sources. The abundance of solar energy in Florida, and the efficiency of heat pump water systems make these choices good options for Florida home builders.
This
water heater infographic at energy.gov is a great source of information about the types of water heater systems and how to choose.
In today’s world, having an energy-efficient home is more a necessity than a wild dream. Fortunately, more builders and construction businesses are conscious about these issues. Whether you’re building a new home or are renovating an older build, paying attention to these four aspects will greatly improve your home’s efficiency.
Keith Voyles has a passion for building energy efficient homes. He is ready to speak with you about taking the next steps to get started on your own custom home build. Contact us today at 352-631-8983.
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