4 min read
How to create energy efficient homes?
Embark on a journey to create an energy-efficient home that suits your comfort and the environment, going beyond simple changes to encompass every aspect, both inside and out.
Imagine you're on a journey that doesn't involve planes or suitcases. It’s a trip toward creating an ideal energy efficient home that caters to both your comfort and the environment.
Many have heard about such homes, but how well do we understand what they really are?
Achieving energy efficiency is more than replacing light bulbs or unplugging appliances; it encompasses every part of a home, from exterior design choices to smart devices inside. Everything plays its part as steps on this journey.
Let’s unpack what else these homes entail and how they can work for you.
What are energy efficient homes?
Creating an energy efficient home is about taking a holistic approach to conserving energy; from the way the property is built to its everyday use. The most energy efficient type of home uses less power for heating, cooling, and lighting while providing comfort and functionality
A true environmentally friendly home, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy, scores high on their Home Energy Score system because it:
- Uses less power and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Blends smart design, green building materials, and power-saving appliances with renewable energy sources like solar or wind.
How to build energy efficient homes from the exterior?
Making your home energy efficient starts from the outside. It's about insulation and using smart designs and materials that help keep heat in during winter and out during summer.
Think of your house as a thermos bottle. You want it to maintain the temperature inside without consuming much energy. To achieve this, appropriate design principles can be used for exterior walls, roofs, windows, and landscaping. Some key considerations include:
- Siding materials: choices like fiber-cement siding or insulated vinyl have proven benefits for thermal efficiency over traditional options such as wood or aluminum.
- Rooftop design: a cool roof reflects more sunlight than a standard one, which helps reduce cooling costs especially in hotter climates.
Solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations
To further boost sustainability, consider integrating solar panels into your roofing design and including an energy management system for further insights and control. Also consider including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and smart electrical panels at home. These installations help ensure you use renewable energy sources while minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.
Sustainable landscaping
Embrace sustainable landscaping to elevate your home's energy efficiency from the outside in. By integrating native plants, you'll conserve water and nurture local wildlife. Carefully positioned trees offer natural cooling, cutting your reliance on artificial heating and cooling. This eco-smart approach not only beautifies your space but also significantly trims your energy footprint, aligning with a greener lifestyle.
Green building materials
When constructing a sustainable home, green building materials help in conserving energy and contribute significantly toward reducing your environmental footprint. Sustainable alternatives, such as reclaimed wood or bamboo, limit deforestation and provide excellent insulation.
How to build an energy efficient home from the inside?
Creating a more energy efficient home is also about the inside. Boosting sustainability can mean investing in appliances designed to reduce power usage and conserve energy.
Smart appliances and devices
Living sustainably has become easier thanks to the latest smart appliances and devices. These advanced tools assist in conserving energy and enable you to reduce utility expenses.
EPA-certified household appliances can lower emissions while maintaining performance levels. Tankless water heaters heat only as needed instead of constantly heating a large water tank, saving both money and resources.
Real-time data on the energy consumed in a home is available with electric monitoring systems. This information helps you make smarter choices about how and when you use electricity at home.
You can use these one-of-a-kind connected lights, switches, dimmers, and outlets that provide direct insights to your phone on your home’s energy usage. Beyond the insights, this energy-saving product connects to outlets and light switches around your home and allows you to control, set schedules, and expand automation to popular home assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
LED lights use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. And let's not forget about insulating your walls properly -- it keeps heat in during winter and out during summer.
The secret? Make sure every part of your house works together toward efficiency. View our Product Solutions Page for more ideas.
Renewable energy sources
Harnessing the power of renewable energy sources can help you save while promoting a healthier planet. Solar, wind, and geothermal are among the popular choices.
Solar power, for instance, lets your home use sunlight to generate and store electricity.
Suppose you live in a place with gusty winds. Wind turbines then become green-energy machines.
There’s also geothermal energy, which leverages natural heat from the planet’s core.
Making changes like these doesn’t just reduce carbon footprint; it also shrinks monthly bills.
Are energy efficient homes worth it?
Energy efficient homes are worthwhile for homeowners. They lower utility bills and your carbon footprint.
Schneider Electric offers a range of products to transform any house into an energy efficient one. From solar panels to EV charging stations and connected switches and outlets, Schneider solutions make sustainable living easy and more affordable.
While the initial cost may be more than traditional house, the U.S. Department of Energy reports potential savings of up to 30%, making it clear that investing in an energy efficient home pays off.
How the Inflation Reduction Act benefits sustainable homeowners?
With the recent introduction of the United States Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), sustainable, energy-efficient homes are more accessible and affordable, thanks to the inclusion of incentives that encourage homeowners to lower their carbon footprint — these include tax credits and incentives for upgrading to sustainable appliances, driving electric vehicles, and installing solar panels.
These incentives, which are available as direct tax rebates, include:
- The Energy Efficient Home Improvement credit (Section 25C): Allows homeowners to deduct up to 30% of the cost of upgrades to their homes from their taxes.
- The Clean Vehicle credit (Section 30D and Section 25E): A credit worth up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles and a credit worth up to $4,000 for used electric vehicles, after meeting specific income thresholds.
- The Residential Clean Energy credit (Section 25D): A 10-year extension for a program allowing households to deduct 30% of the cost of installing solar panels from their taxes.
Whether you're looking to install energy-efficient windows and heat pumps or embrace solar energy, the IRA makes these upgrades more affordable. It's a significant step towards reducing carbon footprint and allows homeowners to live responsibly in a comfortable, sustainable home.
Build the green home of your dreams with Schneider Electric
Energy efficient homes are not just a trend, but a step towards sustainability, as the perfect blend of green design and smart technology. From sustainable building materials to installing solar panels, each decision impacts your home on the inside and out. Although smart homes require an investment up front, these energy-saving upgrades stand to pay for themselves over time thanks to lower utility bills and tax credit incentives aimed at helping Americans go green.
Ready to get started? Schneider Electric is proud to help you build your energy efficient home today
Imagine you're on a journey that doesn't involve planes or suitcases. It’s a trip toward creating an ideal energy efficient home that caters to both your comfort and the environment.
Many have heard about such homes, but how well do we understand what they really are?
Achieving energy efficiency is more than replacing light bulbs or unplugging appliances; it encompasses every part of a home, from exterior design choices to smart devices inside. Everything plays its part as steps on this journey.
Let’s unpack what else these homes entail and how they can work for you.
What are energy efficient homes?
Creating an energy efficient home is about taking a holistic approach to conserving energy; from the way the property is built to its everyday use. The most energy efficient type of home uses less power for heating, cooling, and lighting while providing comfort and functionality
A true environmentally friendly home, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy, scores high on their Home Energy Score system because it:
- Uses less power and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Blends smart design, green building materials, and power-saving appliances with renewable energy sources like solar or wind.
How to build energy efficient homes from the exterior?
Making your home energy efficient starts from the outside. It's about insulation and using smart designs and materials that help keep heat in during winter and out during summer.
Think of your house as a thermos bottle. You want it to maintain the temperature inside without consuming much energy. To achieve this, appropriate design principles can be used for exterior walls, roofs, windows, and landscaping. Some key considerations include:
- Siding materials: choices like fiber-cement siding or insulated vinyl have proven benefits for thermal efficiency over traditional options such as wood or aluminum.
- Rooftop design: a cool roof reflects more sunlight than a standard one, which helps reduce cooling costs especially in hotter climates.
Solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations
To further boost sustainability, consider integrating solar panels into your roofing design and including an energy management system for further insights and control. Also consider including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and smart electrical panels at home. These installations help ensure you use renewable energy sources while minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.
Sustainable landscaping
Embrace sustainable landscaping to elevate your home's energy efficiency from the outside in. By integrating native plants, you'll conserve water and nurture local wildlife. Carefully positioned trees offer natural cooling, cutting your reliance on artificial heating and cooling. This eco-smart approach not only beautifies your space but also significantly trims your energy footprint, aligning with a greener lifestyle.
Green building materials
When constructing a sustainable home, green building materials help in conserving energy and contribute significantly toward reducing your environmental footprint. Sustainable alternatives, such as reclaimed wood or bamboo, limit deforestation and provide excellent insulation.
How to build an energy efficient home from the inside?
Creating a more energy efficient home is also about the inside. Boosting sustainability can mean investing in appliances designed to reduce power usage and conserve energy.
Smart appliances and devices
Living sustainably has become easier thanks to the latest smart appliances and devices. These advanced tools assist in conserving energy and enable you to reduce utility expenses.
EPA-certified household appliances can lower emissions while maintaining performance levels. Tankless water heaters heat only as needed instead of constantly heating a large water tank, saving both money and resources.
Real-time data on the energy consumed in a home is available with electric monitoring systems. This information helps you make smarter choices about how and when you use electricity at home.
You can use these one-of-a-kind connected lights, switches, dimmers, and outlets that provide direct insights to your phone on your home’s energy usage. Beyond the insights, this energy-saving product connects to outlets and light switches around your home and allows you to control, set schedules, and expand automation to popular home assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
LED lights use 75% less energy than traditional bulbs. And let's not forget about insulating your walls properly -- it keeps heat in during winter and out during summer.
The secret? Make sure every part of your house works together toward efficiency. View our Product Solutions Page for more ideas.
Renewable energy sources
Harnessing the power of renewable energy sources can help you save while promoting a healthier planet. Solar, wind, and geothermal are among the popular choices.
Solar power, for instance, lets your home use sunlight to generate and store electricity.
Suppose you live in a place with gusty winds. Wind turbines then become green-energy machines.
There’s also geothermal energy, which leverages natural heat from the planet’s core.
Making changes like these doesn’t just reduce carbon footprint; it also shrinks monthly bills.
Are energy efficient homes worth it?
Energy efficient homes are worthwhile for homeowners. They lower utility bills and your carbon footprint.
Schneider Electric offers a range of products to transform any house into an energy efficient one. From solar panels to EV charging stations and connected switches and outlets, Schneider solutions make sustainable living easy and more affordable.
While the initial cost may be more than traditional house, the U.S. Department of Energy reports potential savings of up to 30%, making it clear that investing in an energy efficient home pays off.
How the Inflation Reduction Act benefits sustainable homeowners?
With the recent introduction of the United States Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), sustainable, energy-efficient homes are more accessible and affordable, thanks to the inclusion of incentives that encourage homeowners to lower their carbon footprint — these include tax credits and incentives for upgrading to sustainable appliances, driving electric vehicles, and installing solar panels.
These incentives, which are available as direct tax rebates, include:
- The Energy Efficient Home Improvement credit (Section 25C): Allows homeowners to deduct up to 30% of the cost of upgrades to their homes from their taxes.
- The Clean Vehicle credit (Section 30D and Section 25E): A credit worth up to $7,500 for new electric vehicles and a credit worth up to $4,000 for used electric vehicles, after meeting specific income thresholds.
- The Residential Clean Energy credit (Section 25D): A 10-year extension for a program allowing households to deduct 30% of the cost of installing solar panels from their taxes.
Whether you're looking to install energy-efficient windows and heat pumps or embrace solar energy, the IRA makes these upgrades more affordable. It's a significant step towards reducing carbon footprint and allows homeowners to live responsibly in a comfortable, sustainable home.
Build the green home of your dreams with Schneider Electric
Energy efficient homes are not just a trend, but a step towards sustainability, as the perfect blend of green design and smart technology. From sustainable building materials to installing solar panels, each decision impacts your home on the inside and out. Although smart homes require an investment up front, these energy-saving upgrades stand to pay for themselves over time thanks to lower utility bills and tax credit incentives aimed at helping Americans go green.
Ready to get started? Schneider Electric is proud to help you build your energy efficient home today