Energy efficient homes help the environment and keep energy bills low. People think that it is expensive or hard to make a house energy efficient, especially when building in the mountains. But that is not the case at all. It is easier than you think to have an energy efficient mountain home.
If you are building a house and want to make some environmentally conscious changes, there are some really simple things that you can do. Keep in mind that you do not have to completely overhaul your home and make all the possible changes at once to have an energy efficient house. Make one or two changes to start you on the path of conservation. Below is a straightforward guide to start you on your way to a more energy efficient mountain home.
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Insulation
Having good insulation is key to having an energy efficient home! Make sure that your house’s insulation is top quality and that there is plenty of it. A well-insulated home will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer without having to turn up the heat or air condition. This will save you money, too.
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Wood Burning Fireplace
When you live in the mountains, there is an abundance of fire wood. Take advantage of that and use a wood burning fireplace to help heat your mountain home during the cold winter months. This will help to cut heating bills, as well.
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Windows
Make sure that all windows on your mountain house are high quality and appropriate for the weather conditions. They must be installed correctly and be well-sealed so that heat and air conditioning do not escape from them.
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Energy Saving Appliances
This is really simple step to ensure an energy efficient home. Appliances with the Energy Star Label are ones to look for when buying. These will help you cut energy bills, also.
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Solar Panels
Using solar panels for electricity in your home cuts electrical bills and makes your home more energy efficient. As long as your mountain house can get direct sunlight from one point on the roof, then solar panels can be a great way to harness the natural energy of the sun.
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LED Lighting
Another way to save energy is to use LED lights throughout your mountain house, both indoors and outdoors. These lights last longer and are very effective. They will cut electricity bills, and it is super easy to just switch out regular light bulbs with LED bulbs.
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Sun Exposure
One overlooked area in being energy efficient is to just look at the lot your mountain home will be built on. Notice where the sun hits the lot and where trees are located, and then plan the placement of the house around that. This can help with naturally heating and cooling your home. In the winter, direct sunlight to the house is great to warm up your home, but in the summer months, you want there to be shade to prevent direct sunlight and to naturally help to cool your home.
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Landscaping and Trees
Once you know where direct sunlight hits your house, use the landscaping to give you access to the sunlight during the winter, for heat, and shade during the summer, to help keep the house cool. Many mountain landscapers will advise you to “plant deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your house to create summer shade. When the trees lose their leaves in the winter months, it will give the house direct sunlight”
Making your mountain home energy efficient is easier than it sounds. All it takes is a few simple steps to ensure your new house is one that saves you money in energy bills and is environmentally friendly. It is worth the effort to make a few small changes in order to conserve energy.