Build.com for Pros: Energy-Efficient Homes

With growing environmental concerns, building energy-efficient homes has become a standard in new construction. Not only do energy-efficient homes help to lower utility costs, but  also help each home to be less of a drain on resources. Whether you're remodeling an existing property or building a new home from the ground up, there are a number of ways you can adapt the design to maximize efficiency.

Selecting Energy-Efficient Building Products

Making a home efficient starts with the initial construction. As every material is selected, look for the most energy-efficient options on the market. Make sure the house stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer by choosing energy-efficient insulation types from the beginning.

Low-Flow Plumbing Solutions

Creating energy-efficient homes isn't just about lowering electrical costs. Minimizing the water usage is another way to reduce monthly expenses and the environmental impact of the home. The kitchen and the bathrooms are essential in creating an efficient house. Low-flow toilets, shower heads, and kitchen and bath faucets can provide all the style you're used to while making the most of every gallon of water used.

Utilizing the Power of the Sun

Electricity isn't the only way to power lights around the home. Utilize solar landscape lighting to  highlight a tree, flower bed, or architectural element of the home. These lights feature a solar panel on top that collects power throughout the day and then automatically turns the light on when the sun goes down.

Going Green with LED Lighting

Every room in the home requires proper illumination. Making the switch to LED lights across all lighting elements in the house is a great way to lower annual electrical costs. While each bulb does cost a little bit more upfront, LED lights typically provide more than 50,000 hours of light before needing to be replaced. This makes them an especially convenient choice for recessed lighting and chandeliers that are hard to reach.

With so many different LED lighting options available, it's easy to find fixtures that will maximize efficiency while offering the style needed. As you shop for LED bulbs, look for those with an ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR bulbs use 75% less energy and last 35 to 50 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs.

Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

Every home, no matter what the size, is outfitted with basic appliances. As the home is filled with the essentials, making sure to select energy-efficient appliances will help ensure that electricity, water, and even gas prices are kept at a minimum. In the kitchen, start with ENERGY STAR refrigerators, ovens, stoves, and dishwashers.

In the laundry room, using an energy-efficient washer and dryer can drastically minimize the amount of water used per load, which can make a big difference, especially if they are serving a large family. Fortunately, it's easy to find energy-efficient appliances in a full range of colors and styles.

• Thermostat: A smart thermostat even learns the occupant's daily routine, so the house is only heated or cooled when needed.

• Smart Light Bulbs: Many light bulbs boast an integrated smart feature that makes it easy to turn them on and off from the convenience of a device. They can even be put on a schedule, like scheduling the foyer and porch light come on at night.

• Smart Appliances: Installing smart appliances in the home can program the various appliances throughout the home to run on the preferred schedule. Put a load of laundry in the washer at night and set it to start an hour before wake up, so it's ready to transfer to the dryer.

• Security Systems: Keeping energy-efficient homes protected is easy with a smart video doorbell and security system designed to work as one unified set-up. Smoke detectors, door locks, window and door alarms, video cameras, and carbon monoxide alarms are all available within this category.

• Window Coverings: Smart blinds and shades are programmable to go up and down throughout the day to let light in when needed and keep the heat out of the home when it beats down on windows. 

• Ceiling Fans: An air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard when energy-efficient ceiling fans are installed in every room. These fans often feature integrated lights, as well.

Not only do these energy-efficient home ideas help to minimize utility usage, but they are also an incredibly convenient feature. Having the ability to control so many different aspects of a home from a tablet or phone is also a great solution for a vacation home or a rental property. As you shop for smart home devices, check to see whether they are Wi-Fi enabled or Bluetooth enabled. Wi-Fi enabled smart devices rely on home internet. Bluetooth-enabled devices connect with a specific phone or tablet only when it is located nearby.

Whether you're constructing a home from the ground up or retrofitting an existing structure, there are energy-efficient home ideas that will help to minimize the carbon footprint. As you're building out each part of the space, refer to energy-efficient home designs first and try to work them into the build. With so many different products designed with efficiency in mind, it's easy to implement energy-efficient home ideas in with any build-out.