Energy-efficient home plans can dramatically reduce your lifetime utility costs and make your log home livable all year long. The decision made during the design of the house such as site orientation, ventilation and solar balancing has a much more significant impact on the energy efficiency of the house. Despite reducing the energy consumption; it is essential that before you build, you should consider other energy sources for homes available in the area of the proposed home.
Many developers claim to sell energy-efficient floor plans, but in reality, they don’t fulfill all that they promise. The best house plans are adequately tailored to the site area and location. In other to provide energy-efficient home, the plan must also contain other vital aspect such as a detailed landscaping plan.
Here are the top five factors that can confirm if your home plan is really energy efficient.
- Ventilation
A floor plan that provides proper ventilation in all rooms is a sign for an energy-efficient home. A floor plan designed to meet energy-efficient needs should not only have windows for airflow but also that the layout of the rooms encourages constant airflow.
- Orientation and form
This can have a tremendous impact on the energy performance of the building. The floor plan orientation and shape depends so much on the region. For example, in areas with cold climates, homes may have a rectangular floor plan oriented such that it captures enough sun from the east and west. Contact an architect to get the best overall site design for optimal energy efficiency.
- Solar loads and daylight
An energy-efficient home floor plan should aim to balance the advantages of natural lighting with the potential dangers of increased solar cooling load. Good design often considers the region. Hot areas can reduce the number of east and west windows at the expense of daylight to reduce the burden of solar cooling. In colder areas, this may not be important. TruLog Steel log siding with a foam backer providing an R-3 to R-4 insulation value can help mitigate solar load.
- HVAC systems
HVAC systems mean heating, cooling, and ventilating systems. It determines the cooling and ventilation of the house. When selecting an appropriate method for your home, you have to consider the area of the space where it will be used, as well as energy efficiency. Ducts and other supporting systems must also be designed to allow a minimal amount of energy loss, and the system must be installed to provide maximum efficiency.
Although energy-efficient systems can sometimes be more expensive than the conventional method, most times Government grant tax reduction, which helps to that reduce the initial cost.
- Construction details
Carefully designed construction details will further contribute to the home’s energy efficiency. In cold climates, the exterior walls may be slightly wider or have TruLog siding to allow for more excellent insulation. In warmer climates, cantilevered and covered veranda can provide shade for windows, allowing the sun only to illuminate the interior.
The type of material used in building the house is essential. There are green building materials that can reduce energy loss; hence contributing to the energy efficiency of the home.
An energy-efficient floor plan can help you get the most comfort and value out of your log home year-round.
