This topic is of particular interest to me because, in addition to aspiring to be an engineer, I have actually lived in an earth berm home that my parents built in North Carolina years ago which, naturally, was sustainable and very energy efficient.  Constructed of steel and sprayed on concrete, or Quickrete, the dome house was insulated with thin, foam panels and waterproofed on the outside with a bituthene coating, and it used the earth as a natural insulation for temperature control, therefore not requiring heat or air conditioning.  Another option that my parents utilized was the southern exposure, which lent natural light and heating from the sun into the front of our house, especially since the other three walls were covered.  It proved that an earth home doesn’t live by the stigma of being damp and dark inside.  These are just a couple of examples of how to better design a structure with energy efficiency.

So much technology has been created in recent years to pioneer energy efficiency in homes and other buildings, and there are numerous methods of achieving it with some even functioning entirely off the grid.  When I think of tips to design a building with energy efficiency, there are certainly multiple.

Solar

We see more and more homes utilizing solar panels on the roof because of its energy saving benefits.  Solar panels take advantage of the sun’s natural light to provide power, and it has been proven to be extremely effective, cutting electric bills to a minimum, which can offer a huge savings.  Some people view the upfront expense of the panels as a deterrent, but they have proven to pay for themselves through saving money in just a couple of years. 

Sealing & Insulating

These are seemingly obvious options, but many structures are surprisingly not constructed with sufficient insulation, and doors and windows are often not tightly sealed, letting cold air in and heat out.  We especially see in older houses and buildings, where seals are cracked or missing completely and insulation was attempted with inefficient materials.  Some older homes, like my grandparents’, had no insulation at all.

Eliminate “Dead” Space

Nowadays, we see a lot of homes and buildings being built with high ceilings to make a small space look larger.  Though the concept is smart, it can really run up the costs of heat and air conditioning.  Many homes, while aesthetically pleasing, leave a lot of unused space, in foyers with high ceilings, for example.  The more that these “dead” spaces can be used or eliminated, the more energy efficient the home or building becomes.

Green Building

Using the proper sustainable materials can be hugely beneficial in energy conservation.  Some, like my parents, are using earth for insulation and temperature control, others have used things like wool bricks, grass, recycled plastic and tires in place of concrete walls.  Triple glazed windows can also provide a valuable option.

Water Conservation

Many water-saving techniques are being used for better energy efficiency.  One of the ways this can be achieved is by installing low flow water fixtures, which controls the flow of water usage, and it is a great way to conserve.  In taller structures, another method is roof mounted water tanks for obvious reasons.  The less distance that water has to flow through water lines, the more one can save on usage.

These are just some of the ways to design buildings and homes with better energy efficiency, and much of it is also tax deductible.  I believe that building with more sustainable and energy efficient methods are the future.  Not only is it better for our wallets, it is better for the environment, as well.

Repurposing

Repurposing, or reusing, the various materials around us can provide a great benefit to a home.  Often times, things that many of us throw away can actually be reused for another purpose.  For example, the wood from an old barn can be repurposed for a fence or even furniture pieces, and we see more and more examples of wood pallets being repurposed.  Some beneficial assets can be found in scrap yards and recycling centers.

Lighting

So many energy efficient products are being made available now and one example of this is energy is in light bulbs.  LED and fluorescent bulbs can bring energy costs down hugely while also conserving energy. 

Appliances

Another creative way to conserve and create energy efficiency is by purchasing energy efficient appliances and there are many options, like water heaters, stoves, refrigerators and washing machines, that can conserve water and electric while also saving money through tax credits.  The refrigerator is touted as one of the more energy using appliances but there are steps that can be taken oneself to make it more efficient.  Aside from choosing manual defrost options and properly adjusting temperature settings, doing minor things like using the frigid winter temperatures outside to freeze and cool before putting them in the refrigerator or waiting until food is cooled before putting it into the refrigerator can actually save a bundle.  Cleaning the coils twice a year and checking refrigerator seals can also be a great benefit.