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When you are building an new home you need to consider how to best use energy throughout the residence. There are many things that you can do at the design phase that will save you thousands of dollars down the road. Some of these options are structural, others are merely choosing the right appliances and other components within the home. By making sure that every step of the way you are thinking about how energy is used in your home you will see great results at the end of the project.

The biggest culprit in energy expenditure in the home is through the heating and cooling systems. In order to maximize the efforts of your air conditioner and furnace the home needs to be properly insulated. This includes the interior and exterior walls, ceilings, roof, and most importantly windows and doors. Windows and doors are the biggest way that heat gets in and out of your home. By choosing high quality windows and doors that seal tight and are properly insulated you can make up the added expense in a short couple of years. Also make sure that if you have a basement the windows you use there are very well insulated. Glass block windows are an inexpensive and energy efficient way to let light into your basement.

If you make sure that your home is well insulated you also want to get a highly efficient furnace and air conditioner. Paying more for products that work better will again save you money in the long run. In addition these higher quality, efficient heating and cooling systems will last longer than the cheaper quality ones. Investing in your heating and cooling systems in the beginning is the best way to go.

The next thing that consumes a lot of energy in your home is your appliances. Refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, dryers, and others will consume a large amount of energy. There is a drastic difference in the amount of energy that the efficient and non efficient models will use. Newer appliances that are rated to be efficient is the best way to go.

If you are willing to really focus on your homes energy consumption you can also design in different green heating and cooling solutions. Solar panels can be a great way to not only heat your water but augment your power as well. This is true even in a home that is in a colder clime. Another option that may be available for you is to use a passive heating and cooling system. Many times these can be implemented very inexpensively at the beginning and again will save you thousands of dollars a year in excess heating costs. Plus all of these systems are a lot more friendly on the environment as well so you can feel like you are doing your part.



Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany

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