Sustainable homes that are highly energy-efficient are getting a lot of attention and a growing number of homeowners are opting for them.
If you have been thinking of doing the same, these following design trends will make your home truly sustainable.
Why is energy-efficiency important?
There are several reasons why energy efficiency should be one of your first concerns when it comes to your home.
First of all, you have probably noticed the difference between a well-insulated and a poorly insulated home. The level of comfort is not the same, especially in the cold months.
Moreover, it will reflect on your energy and heating bill – you’ll have to pay more every month, which is a significant difference when you think of annual expenses.
Thirdly, energy efficiency can reduce emissions dramatically, thus helping the environment and promoting climate change mitigation.
So, consider using one of these trends in your own household and reap the benefits.
1. The site and room orientation
When building a home from a scratch, it would be smart to use proper site orientation. More precisely, the north-south orientation will minimize the amount of sunlight during the hot months (reducing your cooling needs), while it maximizes the amount of sunlight during the winter (reducing your heating bill).
South-facing rooms will get a lot of sunlight most of the day, making them perfect for living rooms and dining rooms.
East-facing rooms have sufficient sunlight in the morning, while the afternoon temperature is cooler there, which is great for a kitchen and the bedrooms.
On the other hand, west-facing rooms are the wrong ones to be the kitchen or any of the bedrooms. As the north-facing rooms have the least sunlight throughout the day, bathrooms, laundries, and garages are the best choices for them.
2. High thermal mass materials
These materials are usually used in walls and slab foundations. They have the potential to absorb and keep heat energy, helping to stabilize the temperature inside your home.
Water, brick, stone and concrete are the most common high thermal mass materials. On the other hand, wood, steel, and carpeting materials don’t have the same feature, so you should use them as little as possible.
3. Appropriate doors and windows
It’s necessary to get high quality doors and windows which would ensure that the heat doesn’t slip away through the cracks or that cold from the outside finds its way into the house…
Continue reading and learn more about home design on Broccas.com
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