Making your home energy-efficient is a great way to reduce your future power bills and lower your carbon footprint. To make the switch more effective, instead of adding eco-friendly features to your completed home, account for them during the design process. With that in mind, here are some useful tips on what’s worth including to make your future home use less grid power.

First of all, you might want to reduce the need for artificial illumination as much as possible by including many windows in your home design. You should also make sure your future home is properly insulated to maintain the inside temperatures and include a wood-burning fireplace to provide electricity-free heating during the colder months.

Additionally, consider further reducing your electricity bills by adding solar panels and a solar water heater to your home’s design. Read the suggestion below and smile at how low your power bills will be in the future!

Capitalise on The Sun

The sun is an abundant resource that can provide free heat and light for your home. By designing your home to take advantage of the sun’s rays, you can greatly reduce your reliance on artificial lighting and heating, which will save you money on your power bills in the long run.

Include as many windows as possible in your home’s design, and let them illuminate your home during the day. Although flat roof windows in UK may sound like a crazy idea, you’d be surprised how much they can change your interior. You should also consider adding a solarium or sunroom to your home to further capitalise on the sun’s free energy.

At the same time, make sure to pick energy-efficient solutions here. The windows themselves should be at least double-glazed to prevent heat loss in the winter and excessive heat gain in the summer.

Consider Adding a Wood-Burning Fireplace

A wood-burning fireplace is a great way to add both warmth and character to your home. Not only that, but it can also help you save money on your power bills by providing an alternative to electric heating.

There are many models available on the market, from traditional wood-burning fireplaces to more modern pellet stoves. Wood-burning solutions are a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option if you have access to a good source of wood.

If you decide on a fireplace, ensure that you have enough place outside for roofed wood storage. A good woodshed should be capable of storing at least a few months’ worth of combustibles to prevent you from having to manually re-stock it in the middle of the winter.

Add Solar Panels

Solar panels are a great way to make your home more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. They work by converting sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power your home. If you produce more electricity than you need, you can even sell it back to the grid. If you live in a sunny climate, solar panels can be a great way to significantly reduce your power bills. They are a long-term investment, but they will eventually pay for themselves.

A solar water heater is another great way to make your home more energy-efficient. Solar water heaters work by using the sun’s energy to heat water, which can be used for various purposes around your home, such as taking a shower or doing the laundry. Solar water heaters are a great eco-friendly alternative to electric heaters and can significantly reduce your power bills.

Invest In Good Insulation

Good insulation is essential for any energy-efficient home. It will help to maintain the inside temperature of your home and prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. This will help to keep your home comfortable all year round and reduce your reliance on air conditioning or radiators, saving you money on your power bills.

There are many different types of insulation available on the market, so make sure to choose the right one for your needs. Fibreglass batting is a popular choice for walls, while cellulose insulation is often used for attics. If you’re not sure what type of insulation to choose, consult with a professional contractor first to get the best results.

Install Energy-Efficient Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances are a great way to make your home more eco-friendly and save money on your power bills. These appliances use less electricity than traditional models and can help to significantly reduce your home’s carbon footprint. There are many different types of energy-efficient appliances available on the market, from fridges and freezers to washing machines and dishwashers.

When choosing energy-efficient appliances, make sure to look at the rating. While appliances rated A+++ are more expensive than D-rated models, they will eventually pay for themselves in the form of lower power bills.

If you want to further reduce your power bills, you can just completely omit some appliances. For example, if you have a garden, you don’t have to equip your future home with a dryer. Instead, you can just put all of your laundry out to dry on a clothesline. Depending on the season and the weather conditions, this approach can work even faster than the machine itself.

In Conclusion

Building an energy-efficient home is a great way to reduce your future power bills and help the environment. Use nature to your advantage and include as many windows as possible to take advantage of the sun’s free energy. Add a wood-burning fireplace and solar panels to your home to further reduce your reliance on grid power.

Finally, make sure to invest in good insulation and energy-efficient appliances to complete your home’s eco-friendly design. Now that you know what to include in your home’s design, conserving power in your house will be easier than ever before!