3. Switch to Energy Efficient Appliances
Modern appliances with Energy Star certifications use significantly less power than older models. Swapping out your refrigerator, washing machine, or dishwasher with energy-efficient alternatives can cut energy usage by 20–30%.
In addition to ENERGY STAR® kitchen appliances, purchase an ENERGY STAR® air conditioner or heater. There are ENERGY STAR® computer monitors and TVs for your home office or family room too.
Buying all new appliances at once is rarely an efficient or accessible way to upgrade your home to be more eco-friendly. However, taking one step at a time and changing out one of your appliances the next time you need to replace an item if it’s feasible for you can be a good first step.
4. Weatherproof and Insulate Your Home
Weatherproofing and insulating your home by caulking, sealing or placing weather stripping on exterior doors and windows to prevent air leaks is a great way to be energy efficient without ever touching your thermostat.
These small projects, as well as things like hanging thermal curtains, can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in those Minnesota winters. Additionally, if you have an attic, make sure it is adequately insulated so as to not let any outside air in!
5. To Tank or to Heat Pump
Did you know that tankless water heaters can be up to thirty percent (30%) more energy efficient than a traditional natural gas water heater. This is because tankless water heaters only heat water when it is being used, while a natural gas heater is expelling energy to heat water no matter if you are using it or not.
For the ultimate efficiency, try a Heat Pump Water Heater. These heaters, compared to Tankless, come in many different sizes to help limit the possibility of you running out of hot water when you need it. The process that Heat Pump Water Heaters use is part of what makes it one of the most efficient water heating options. Heat Pump Water Heaters transfer heat from the surrounding air into the water.
When debating whether to go with a Tankless or a Heat Pump Water Heater, there are many items to consider. For example, Heat Pump Water Heaters, while slightly more efficient than Tankless, don’t typically last as long and can cost up to two times more than a Tankless Water Heater. However, one of the biggest pros to a Heat Pump Water Heaters is that they can be eligible for a federal tax credit under the Federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit Program. Similar to a credit you would get for investing in Solar Panels, those who purchase a Heat Pump Water Heaters with a thermal efficient rating of at least 75% qualify for a tax credit of up to $2,000 per year.
It’s all about what makes the most sense for you and your home. With the federal tax credit offered, maybe the Heat Pump Water Heater is your favorite option. If it is not, then Tankless is a great way to still build a more sustainable home! For a comprehensive list of the differences between the two types of heaters, click here.
While smaller changes are where the difference starts, making bigger changes can help you save even more money and do something nice for the planet at the same time. More green
If you have big dreams to build your DREAM house, there are so many more things that you can consider when designing your home that will help you become an energy-saving savant.
1. Orientation Lock OFF
Consider the orientation of your new home! While you may not be able to decide which way your home is facing, you can decide other things.
Maximize south-facing windows! In colder climates (hello Minnesota!), this will help increase the direct sunlight coming into your home in the winter and as well as natural light. Additionally, consider planting a tree in front of your south facing windows. This will block sunlight coming into your home in the summer. Bonus points if it is a tree that loses its leaves in the winter allowing for sunlight in the winter and shade in the summer.
2. Bigger Does Not Always Equal Better
When you say it, it makes sense. But we often forget that a larger home does not always mean better. Choosing a more compact home will reduce the surface area leading to a reduction in interior heat loss. At risk of sounding obvious: The larger the home, the greater the energy consumption.
Did you know: A compact two-story home has a smaller environmental impact than a spread-out, single-story house—even if the square footage is the same!
3.
In a similar vein to the south-facing windows, consider the roof of your home and its overhang. Because the sun is at a higher angle in the summer, adding an overhang to your roof will help block more sunlight in the summer while still allowing it to come in during the colder months.
4.
When building your dream home, search near your area for locally sourced materials. Utilizing locally sourced materials is a great way to help support small businesses, put money back into your local economy, and limit your environmental footprint.
Think of the CO2 emissions you could limit when buying wood milled right in your backyard as opposed to wood that has to be driven in from out of state.
5. Become Familiar with VOCs
This one is even news to us! Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs, are Department of Health, Minnesota. (n.d.). Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home. Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home - MN Dept. of Health.
Many VOCs can be found in materials commonly used during the process of building a home such as paint and certain adhesives. are: benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene.