There is a reason as to why high energy efficient homes are in so much demand, and this is because these homes help in reducing the amount of energy that one use in their homes and they are usually quite comfortable to live in. If your home is energy-efficient, it does increase its value. There are only so many benefits of investing in an energy-efficient home therefore if you are planning on doing so, this is something that you will always be grateful for. Technological advancements in building materials and construction techniques makes it much less of a challenge than it would have been just a few years ago. If you aim to build a home with net-zero energy use with high indoor environmental quality below are guidelines that will help you out.
If you want to use the power of the sun to your advantage, your home has to be facing in the right direction. Buildings in the Northern Hemisphere should be orientated North-South for homes in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s the other way around. One thing that you need to know why is that when it comes to facing the house correctly, it helps a lot because, during the winter, your home will have efficient sunlight during the summer the sunlight will be very minimal. It is very important for you to ensure that you lay out all the rooms in your house very well as it will help in maximum light efficiency. Main living spaces should be the rooms that have a good amount of sun most of the day. When making the plan ensure that your kitchen and your bedrooms are on the side where buy the rooms are very much lit during the morning and are cool during the evening.
It is also important for you to check your landscape very carefully and get to know how it can help you in achieving efficient energy. One thing that you need to know that planting of trees is very important because it does provide shade to your house during the hot season. In the fall those trees that are providing shade will lose their leaves and allow the winter sun to heat your home passively. Another thing that you need to know is that your home should be perfect because if it has leaking doors and open sills, then the house will lose heat. By making sure that your house is properly constructed and there are no leaks then this will play a major role in ensuring that your home can be able to hold heat which is very good because you will not be forced to use things like your AC which increases the energy bill. Room such as the kitchen and the bedroom usually require mechanical ventilation.