Building a Home: Long-Term Energy Saving Tips - By: Charles Koty, A.I.A.

Making decisions when building a home can impact more than just construction costs. Acquiring the right energy-efficient techniques and equipment can save you money for years to come. Here’s how:

Building Tips

Make sure your house is energy-efficient, utilizing the latest energy-saving techniques for family comfort and for minimizing your monthly utility bills.

Heavy insulation and vapor barrier are recommended for exterior walls and attic ceilings.
Windows and glass doors need to be double-glazed, or even triple-glazed in cold regions.
Energy-efficient appliances in the kitchen and installation of low-flow faucets throughout the house can cut utility bills drastically.
Select heating and cooling components that are energy-efficient and adequately-sized. Proper humidifiers provide comfort and conserve energy during the winter, particularly in cold or dry climates where it is needed most.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

For heating or cooling your home, consider the installation of a geothermal heat pump which is popular in certain regions of the country. Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from the earth to the house in winter and the reverse in summer. The technology is based on a series of liquid-filled pipes that are buried in the soil where the level of temperature is even throughout the year. The liquid in the pipes absorbs energy from the earth and then circulates it to the heat pump, where the warmth absorbed from the earth is extracted and used to heat the house. The process is reversed in summer -- heat from the house is dispelled into the earth.

Geothermal heat pumps can provide a substantial savings, especially during the winter. Installation costs, however, are higher than conventional heating and cooling systems; but the realized savings can easily offset the extra cost, and then some. For detailed information about this alternative system, contact your local power company and the energy department of your state. You may also call the U.S. Energy Department, 800-363-3732, for free helpful information and literature to enable you to evaluate the system and the benefits.

About the Author

Charles Koty is an award-winning architect, specializing in passive solar homes, with plans featured in numerous home magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, Architectural Designs, House Beautiful, and many others. View his available home plans at www.nationalhomeplans.com.

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