Posted on Mar 14, 2023 in Blog
Today, more and more people are looking for green solutions when building or renovating their homes. As a custom home builder, having the latest information on energy-efficient builds is essential to provide potential clients with the best possible service.
Here are a few green solutions covered in this blog:
- Insulation
- Solar energy systems
- Windows
- Appliances
- Alternative heating
Insulation
Insulation is one of the most important aspects to consider regarding energy efficiency. Proper insulation helps conserve energy by keeping warm air inside your home during the winter months and cool air inside during the summer months. This keeps you comfortable year-round and reduces energy bills over time as your HVAC system works more efficiently.
Solar Energy
Another way to ensure your homes are energy efficient is by using solar energy systems such as photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems. These allow you to generate your own clean power source for running electric appliances, electric vehicle chargers, and lighting, which can drastically reduce your electricity costs over time.
Windows
Windows also play an essential role when it comes to building energy-efficient homes. Look for windows with high visibility ratings that allow plenty of natural light while still providing good thermal control so heat isn’t lost through the glass. Low-e coatings on windows can further improve their efficiency by reflecting some of the sun’s heat away from your home while still letting in plenty of daylight.
Appliances
Appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines should be chosen carefully since they typically account for a large portion of a household’s monthly energy consumption.
Pro-tip! When it comes to other appliances, look for products with ENERGY STAR labels on them as these have been tested and approved by the EPA for being highly efficient in their use of energy resources.
Finally, consider energy-efficient furnaces. Furnaces are essential components of many homes and can be one of the largest contributors to energy usage. However, due to advances in furnace technology, it is possible to choose an energy-efficient model that will reduce your energy bills and better protect the environment.
Energy-efficient furnaces, also known as high-efficiency furnaces, use two key technologies to conserve energy. The first is a variable-speed blower motor which adjusts its speed depending on how much heat is needed in your home. This allows for more efficient heating as it eliminates the need for full-blast operation which uses a lot of power. The second technology used in modern furnaces is condensing combustion, whereby hot exhaust gases are condensed into liquid form rather than simply escaping out of the furnace (which traditional furnaces do). This process captures additional heat from the exhaust gases, which increases the efficiency of the system resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
In addition to reducing your energy bills, an energy-efficient furnace can also increase the comfort level in your home by maintaining temperatures more consistently throughout. They are also quieter than traditional furnaces since they usually operate at much lower speeds compared to standard models.
An energy-efficient furnace may cost slightly more upfront, but these costs will be offset over time. Ultimately, they are a wise investment that can benefit you and the environment.
In conclusion, building an energy-efficient home requires careful consideration of many different components, from insulation to windows, appliances, and even upgraded heating sources like energy-efficient furnaces. By taking into account all these aspects and making informed decisions during the construction process, your new home will be both comfortable and sustainable at a lower cost over time.
At San Rufo Homes, we focus on unique, functional, stylish, energy-efficient custom homes. Our detail-oriented approach, combined with many years of experience, enables us to create beautiful homes. We believe in building functional works of art that reflect our clients’ vision and our devotion to excellence. We also strive to deliver a truly personalised and customer-centric experience.