Designing and Remodeling a Home
Before you design a new home or remodel an existing one, you should consider investing in its energy efficiency. You'll save energy and money in the long run. It's also a good time to invest in a renewable energy system that will provide your home with electricity, water heating, or space heating and cooling.
If you'd like to design an energy-efficient home, no matter what type of design, you should use what's called the whole-house systems approach.
If you're remodeling a home, conduct an energy audit to help you determine what energy efficiency improvements should and can be made to your home.
Learn how to optimize energy efficiency with the following home designs and construction techniques:
Reduce lumber use and wasteâ€”improving energy efficiencyâ€”in the construction of a traditional wood-framed house.
Incorporate earth into their structure and design for durability and energy efficiency.
Use wooden logs to provide structure and insulation.
Feature energy-efficient options for new homes and improvements for older homes.
Take advantage of climatic conditions, especially the sun, for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.
Use straw bales to provide all or part of their structure and insulation.