To live in an energy-efficient home should not just be a luxury option for people who can afford it. It should also be one of the significant aspects a person should consider when building or renovating a house. Energy-efficiency is not just for the wealthy. There are a lot of small design features one can include in the plans. To build an energy-efficient home, consider the following:
Repair Or Replace Your Appliances
When you’re building a new home, you’re most likely also buying new appliances. For that, you have a wide array of options for the style and color of your appliances so it complements the kind of room you’re envisioning.
But if you plan to bring in old appliances from your old home, you might want to check those first. Appliances don’t last forever, and even if they’re energy-efficient, after wear and tear, they will use up more energy than they’re supposed to. If they’re still in top condition and blend in well, then you can give it a pass.
Replace the irreparable ones, and fix the ones that can still have a good run. Find professionals such as eandvenergy.com who know the inner mechanisms of those items, so you don’t end up wasting your resources.
Add Windows and Skylights
Another necessity for every household is the lights. You need a lighting system, especially during nighttime, so you don’t go scrambling in the dark and cause any accidents. You can include having large windows and skylights in the design of your home.
Wide windows and skylights can let more light in during the daytime. Turn off your lights and rely on the natural light that comes through. Consider putting window tints that can block UV rays from the sun and reduce the heat that comes in Therefore, it doesn’t get too hot during summer. If you’re concerned about neighbors peering in, you can get tints that reduce visibility from the outside.
For the skylight, make sure that you do put tints or choose glass that absorbs less heat from the sun. It’s essential that you do it, especially if it’s directly above your bed. It may be pretty to look up and see the stars every night, but it’s harmful if you absorb UV rays every morning.
Use Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures
During the nighttime, obviously, you’ll need to turn on the lights so you can see. But more than just for seeing which way you’re going, light fixtures contribute to the overall look of your home. When you’re choosing light fixtures, there are many options such as LED, incandescent, fluorescent. These are the most popular options, and with LED being the most energy-efficient.
The lighting can create a different mood for every room if you want it to. You can use different colors if you don’t prefer bright white lights. You can create ambient lighting for full visibility, task lighting for when you only need the light for specific tasks such as cooking or studying. In addition, you can also create accent lighting where you highlight the most interesting parts of your interior design.
Don’t Overlook Your Flooring
Do not overlook your home’s flooring. While it’s probably not your first priority when it comes to aesthetics because it’s on the ground, the flooring can actually make a room look well put-together. The right flooring has a significant impact on how your interior looks.
If you prefer carpeting or rugs on your floor, you should consider how warm it is in your area during summer. Carpets and rugs can trap heat, which will increase the temperature inside your house. It can be helpful during cold winter months, but would it be worth it when summertime comes?
Because being energy-efficient is important, your best option is hardwood floors. It’s the most energy-efficient flooring you could possibly have. It will be warm during the winter and cool during the summer if your contractors install it correctly. Not only is it energy-efficient, but it looks great, too.
Final Thoughts
Among the many planets in our solar system and the infinite galaxies in the universe, our earth is the only one known to man that is habitable. It’s the only one we have as far as we know, and we’re not doing a pretty good job of taking care of it. There’s pollution everywhere, and we’re slowly exhausting resources. One way to help is by making energy-efficient decisions starting with your house’s interior. Try to help the environment as much as you can so future generations can still have a home.
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