Everybody is interested in saving money, and a home is the single biggest investment of most people’s lives. Years of saving and searching for the perfect plan will be worth it when you finally get to step into your dream home. What if we told you that you could get that dream home and save more money for years to come? That’s right! By following this guide on how to choose an energy efficient home, you can have a house that will help pay for itself over the years. Let us show you just how easy it can be!
1,580 Square Foot, 3 Bed, 2.1 Bath Ranch-Style Bungalow
When you know what to look for in your home design, finding a plan that is efficient and comfortable will be easy. And when you pair our industry-leading home plans with top-notch finishes from the best companies around, saving money will happen naturally! If you have any questions about adding some energy-saving features to any of our thousands of home designs, just let us know. We are always happy to help.
No matter where you are on the journey to finding that perfect plan, consider these easy ideas. Knowing how to choose an energy efficient home shouldn’t be a mystery!
Use Windows to Decrease Your Electricity Bill
Many homeowners find themselves shelling out tons of money for their electrical bill. Some of it is for lighting and powering appliances, but a lot comes down to heating and cooling. Even in temperate climates, the slightest thermostat adjustments can end up costing you. And with the vaulted ceilings and large open spaces found in today’s home designs, those bills can really add up. But they don’t have to!
A super easy way to reduce your bill is by incorporating lots of efficient windows into your home. Windows are glazed for different climate zones; in northern regions, they can let in tons of natural light and warmth to reduce winter heating needs, and farther south, they are made to limit solar heat gain and reduce glare. So, why pay more for heat or A/C than you have to?
2,262 Square Foot, 3 Bed 2.1 Bath Drive-Under Beach Design
The windows on THD-2571 make a statement while also adding some practical functionality. Not only do they capture views all year long, but they can also reduce your electric bill. With an ample amount of glass facing toward the sun, you can let in natural light to heat the interior during the colder months.
More interested in keeping cool? Having lots of windows can reduce the cooling bill, too. Open them up in the evening and morning for natural ventilation. They’ll help remove stale warm air from inside!
700 Square Foot, 2 Bed, 1.0 Bath Tiny Cottage
THD-9692 is a great home for reducing a cooling bill. Notice how its combination of windows and sliding glass doors can easily create a cross breeze through the entire linear layout. Of course, this design is also great for keeping warm when you need it with efficient 2 x 6 framing!
Don’t Get More Home Than You Need
Many folks find themselves buying a home that they can afford but is bigger than they actually need. While having some extra features can be neat, consider how often you will use them. If you won’t use extra spaces regularly, then often aren’t worth the investment because you’ll be paying to heat and cool unused space!
Take inventory of what you need now and what you could potentially need several years down the road if you plan to have this house for a while. Try our Advanced Search function to see just how easy it is to narrow down your options.
631 Square Foot, 2 Bed, 1.0 Bath Contemporary Tiny Home
A lot of choosing the right home comes down to knowing how much square footage you need. Whether it’s a small home like the 631-square-foot THD-9691 (above), or a large estate such as THD-4953 (below), we have you covered in the efficiency department. Both of these designs have 2 x 6 exterior framing to fit more insulation than standard, and we can tell you how to build them efficiently for your area when you select the ENERGY STAR® package. Just don’t go overboard?you’ll enjoy more savings when your house isn’t too big for your needs.
6,981 Square Foot, 4 Bed, 3.1 Luxury Craftsman
Your Appliances and Fixtures Matter
In our modern era, it’s easy to forget just how reliant we are on electricity. But when you think about it, everything is plugged into some outlet or energy source. From your lights and ceiling fan to your fridge and stove, those things can add up quickly on a bill.
That’s why we highly recommend choosing the most energy-efficient finishes available. Specifically, we love the look and functionality of Whirlpool® Appliances. We also have some suggestions on choosing the right lighting. All of these companies have options to suit different styles, and that will help save money for many years to come by using electricity more efficiently. There’s a reason that we always recommend them to customers who are wondering how to choose an energy efficient home!
THD-8707 (interior above, exterior below) shows these features coming together to create a great kitchen space. If you like the look of this home, check it out some more. It’s part of our exclusive America’s Choice Home Plan Collection! That means we have finished it with all sorts of our favorite products and have renderings to show off the final product as we imagine it.
3,429 Square Foot, 4 Bed, 4.1 Bath Craftsman Lakehouse
Get Creative with Your Solutions
For many people, reducing their carbon footprint to help save the planet is a big concern. If this sounds like you, then we recommend working with one of our designers to help incorporate even more energy-saving ideas into your new home. Whether you come with your own or want to rely on our expertise, we have you covered. Whatever you can dream up, The House Designers can help make into a reality!
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Christine Cooney
Christine has over a decade of experience as a house plan and floor plan expert. Outside of providing her expertise to customers to help them find and build their dream homes, her passion and knowledge of the home building industry allows Christine to guide families and builders through all of the important steps from finding plans to building custom homes that meet the expectations of today’s new home owner. Christine’s years of knowledge of the diverse trends and needs of the modern homeowner has made her into an authoritative and trusted voice in the online house plan community.