You’ve finally done it. Decided to build a new home or remodel your existing one, and you want it to have a renewable energy system. Congratulations! You’ve taken a first big step in doing your part to treat our planet better.
Now you need to decide what you’re going to do to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
The whole-house systems approach is probably the best option you could select. Whether you’re building or remodeling, this approach will give you the best outcome where renewable energy is concerned.
Careful planning and attention to detail are required when you’re changing to a highly-energy-efficient house. An energy audit is one thing you should do whether you’re building new or remodeling. This audit will help you decide what improvements you can and should make to reach your goal of using renewable energy.
The whole-house systems approach takes your entire house into consideration. The approach views your house as interdependent parts. This means each part affects all other parts. This approach also considers those who live in the house, the site itself, and the local climate when looking at what can be done on your project.
It’s best to hire someone experienced in designing and building the kind of energy-efficient home you want. From the beginning of the project, a whole-house systems approach should be followed. An experienced builder of this kind will be able to simulate the different aspects and options for your house on the computer. This will help you come to the most cost-efficient design that will give you the energy-efficiency you want.
Some of the things to be considered include:
site conditions
local climate
insulation
lighting
space heating and cooling
water heating
windows, doors, skylights
What will this give you? Lower utility costs, and in some instances, no utility cost. More comfort in your entire house. Healthier and safer environment indoors. Longer lasting building.
Depend on Alternate Energy in Plymouth, MA, for help designing and installing your solar system. Call today! 800-327-6527!