Considerations for building an energy efficient home

Considerations for building an energy efficient home

When building your new home, investing in energy efficiency will ensure that your home will save you power and money, without compromising on comfort.

What is energy efficiency?

Energy-efficient home design can lead to a range of outcomes. Factors such as the orientation of a home on your block, appliances, space, heating and cooling as well as windows, doors and lights can all affect the efficiency of your home.

Below are 7 low-cost elements that can be incorporated into your new home to increase its energy efficiency:

  1. Appropriate placement of external openings to maximise exposure for cross-flow breezes, helping with summer cooling.
  2. Living spaces and openings are designed to be orientated to a northern aspect. This allows the warming winter sun to enter these spaces during the day, reducing the need for artificial heating. Appropriate shading devices such as eaves should also be used over these windows to ensure projection from the direct summer sun in these same spaces.
  3. Avoid openings to high-use areas being placed on the western side of the home which will encourage undesirable afternoon summer sun to heat a room.
  4. Use of ceiling fans to circulate air helping to cool spaces within summer. They can also help to circulate warm air in space when put on reverse in winter months.
  5. The use of insulation will help keep a stable temperature within your home. This includes keeping warm air within a home during winter, and cool air within the space.
  6. Ensuring you have a high energy rating on your home will mean your home will consume less energy each day - which is also great resale value for the home. Energy doesn’t just include electricity consumption, but also gas, water and lighting.
  7. Having solar panels on your roof allows you to the most out of the Queensland sun and generate your own electricity. Having the right solar energy system will ensure that you are making the most of solar and maximising your savings. You can read more about solar panel benefits here.

By analysing your home design early to ensure it is energy efficient in as many ways possible, you are paving the way for your home to contribute the environment and save money on your bills.

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