Country Energy - building & renovating

energy efficient house design

Designing your home for energy efficiency will help you live more comfortably and save money.

By following a few simple pointers at the design stage of your new home, such as taking advantage of the sun’s free warmth and light, you can not only reduce your energy account but also reduce your impact on the environment.

Choose a block that has clear access to the low-angled winter sun.
Consider your climate and geographical location and choose building design and materials to suit.
Plan the rooms in your home to take full advantage of elements such as natural lighting.
The size and position of windows should be carefully planned according to the direction they face.
Window protection such as shutters, eaves and drapes can help keep your house cooler in summer and prevent heat loss in the winter.
Prevent draughts in areas such as construction joints between walls, gaps between and around windows, air vents etc.
Insulate your home. Insulation is the single most effective item you can add to your home to improve its energy efficiency.
Set your heating system up so that you have the flexibility to heat individual zones of the home with energy efficient heaters.
In the initial planning of the house, group together rooms that use hot water, to ensure more efficient use of your hot water system.

For a more detailed guide to making your home energy efficient you can visit the Green Power website or download one of their brochures from the links on the right.