Energy-efficient homes

If you’re in the market for a new home or renovating an existing home, there are a few different types of energy-efficient homes to choose from. Here are three that minimize reliance on fossil fuels through technology, design and manufacturing.

• Ultra-efficient homes

  This type of home design combines less energy use with renewable energy sources. Ultra-efficiency is gained when a home generates as much energy as it uses. “The intent is to reduce home energy use as cost-effectively as possible, and then meet the reduced load with on-site renewable energy systems,” explains the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

• Passive homes

  A passive home is a type of ultra-efficient home built to the rigorous construction standards of the Passive House Institute (PHI). Some of the qualities of these homes outlined by PHI include:

  • Space heating and cooling-related energy savings of up to 90% compared with typical buildings
  • Efficient use of the sun and internal heat sources, rendering conventional heating systems unnecessary
  • Special windows to keep the desired warmth in the house or unwanted heat out
  • A ventilation system that supplies constant fresh air
• Efficient manufactured homes

  Manufactured homes use materials similar to site-built homes but are manufactured in the builder’s warehouse then assembled onsite. Just like site-built homes, they can be designed with options to save energy with custom amenities, including energy-efficient appliances. In addition, because they’re constructed in a controlled environment, these homes can be made much more efficiently, lowering the cost of construction and improving affordability for new homebuyers. According to David Battany, Executive Vice President of Capital Markets at Guild Mortgage, “The use of robotics helps speed the building process without sacrificing quality. The waste from construction for manufactured homes can be less than half the waste of a site-built home.”

If you’re aiming for a comfortable, efficient and resilient home, these five improvements can help you go green.

• 1. Insulate your windows

  Did you know that up to 30% of residential heating and cooling energy use is due to heat loss and heat gain through windows? The DOE recommends two options to save energy use. First, you can choose to update your existing windows by using weatherstripping, adding window treatments or installing storm windows and exterior shades. Or, replace your windows with the most efficient windows for your needs.

• 2. Purchase highly efficient appliances

  If you’re looking to save on your electric bill, it can be beneficial to install highly efficient appliances. The DOE recommends shopping for ENERGY STAR-qualified products because they “exceed the federal minimum standards for efficiency and quality — sometimes significantly.” While you may pay more upfront, the cost of operating these products is less than their non-energy efficient equivalents.

• 3. Automate your home with a smart thermostat

  Smart thermostats are not just beneficial because they enable control of your heating and cooling system from your smartphone. They can also learn your daily habits and cool or heat your home only as much as needed. By using a smart thermostat that meets ENERGY STAR certification, you may save approximately 8% on your heating and cooling bills.

• 4. Invest in solar

  Commonly, more than half of a home’s energy is used to heat it in the winter and cool it down in the summer. While there are installation and maintenance costs when investing in solar, by using the sun’s energy, you can lower your carbon footprint along with your electric bill. Recent Zillow research found that installing solar panels can also potentially increase your home’s value by 4.1% more than comparable homes with no solar.

• 5. Add more insulation

  Insulation is a sound investment to reduce heating and cooling costs while improving comfort— and it doesn’t just belong in an attic. To make your home more energy-efficient, you may want to take a top-down approach, insulating from the roof down to the foundation.