How to Build an Energy-Efficient Custom Home in Dallas?
The technology has shifted the focus of luxury homes towards energy-efficient custom homes. Architects are now designing homes that are energy-efficient and affordable.
People prefer a home that reduces cost while building it and affordable to own in the long run. This approach has been admired by many homeowners as well. Technology is pretty expensive, but if we make a cost-benefit comparison, then it wins every time.
We have created a general guide that can help you build an energy-efficient custom home in Dallas without breaking your bank. So, let’s get right to it.
Choose a Smart & Functional Design
The first step of building a custom home starts with a design. These days designers, architects, builders, and homebuyers all work together to come up with cost-effective zero net energy home designs.
Since there are a lot of gadgets and devices that need to be placed within the walls and roof, they all have to be involved in the design.
Once a smart home is designed, the builders and subcontractors should keep in mind the basics and the implementation of such details as effectively as possible.
The builder and architect should have open communication about what they want to build and how it can be managed given the area. Everyone must share the idea of constructing a customized energy-efficient smart home.
Use the Sunlight
Sun is a powerful source of energy and light. Countries are wasting billions of dollars on producing electricity, and still, it isn’t enough. But you don’t have to rely on electricity only because now you can use solar plates that absorb the heat and help you run many devices on solar energy.
Today, all luxury houses include solar plates in their smart home design because they achieve maximum passive solar heating. To maximize the benefits of natural sunlight, try placing south-facing windows, and you can get enough sunlight to keep your house warm.
It also helps you lower the cost of heat in the winter season. Those same windows can be shaded in the summer season to keep the house cool.
Optimize Energy Consumption
When a home is planned, you also plan how many lights, air conditions, HVAC, and security systems you want. But you need to optimize the net energy consumption in energy modeling software.
This can help you realize where you are going too much or too little. It can also help you maintain a balance while ensuring you a goal of net-zero energy. You can modify your design by adding a better option. Optimizing energy consumption beforehand can help you make the right decision in construction as well.
Energy Efficient Lighting
The whole world can agree that we rely on electricity too much because we have things that run with electricity. But sometimes, we are wasting electricity and that is something we can control.
So, while you are designing an energy-efficient home, minimize your energy use for lighting but opt for LED lights. They are energy-efficient, last longer, and have no mercury. Another cool thing about them is that they come in bright white, soft, and warm shades so using them strategically all over the home can improve your energy-efficiency impeccably.
Super-Seal the Net-Zero Building Envelope Concept
There is a new super-seal Net-zero building envelope concept that is believed to be the most cost-effective solution to seal off any climate conditions. This way a building is supposed to improve the energy efficiency of a zero-energy home.
Let’s say if you live in a rainy climate, your home will stay dry and won’t let the moisture get into the house. In the same way, warm or cold weather can be handled with air-sealing approaches. Choose the option that works well with your climate and budget.
Insulation
If we talk about the house being airtight from the outside weather, another concern is insulation. If you optimize the insulation levels for your ceilings, walls, and floors, you can select framing that will suit your smart home design.
There are various options for it depending on the elevation and you can choose the one that suits well within your budget.
Insulated Windows and Doors
Insulation goes a long way and home windows, and doors are a very big concern. They are letting warm air go out and bringing cold. But if you choose to use the energy-efficient highly insulated low U-value frame and low- E glass windows and doors, your home is going to be more airtight than ever.
It is a cost-effective solution. However, choosing the window size, direction, location, style, blinds, and even curtain can contribute to its effectiveness.
Consider Fresh Air Supply
What is the point of having a luxury home if you don’t have access to natural and fresh air?
Although smart homes are supposed to be airtight, there is a need for a fresh air supply in every smart home. If fresh air doesn’t come in or the moisture doesn’t go out, there is not much to consider.
So, smart homes come with a continuous source of fresh filtered air through a highly energy-efficient ventilation system. They expel used air while recovering its heat and returning that same heat to the home with the fresh air. This ventilation system is healthier and more comfortable than regular homes.
Heating and Cooling System
Just like any other advanced machinery, technology has introduced us to highly efficient and cost-effective heating and cooling systems. They are essential for every custom energy-efficient home. They can be customized according to your smart home architecture. They consume less power and meet the net-zero energy goal.
Water Heating
Water heating and good water pressure are both important concerns in a bathroom. Considering that water heating also consumes energy, many architects and builders use more advanced water heating technology in which water heats up in seconds as you use it. It only warms water as you use it and then turns off when you stop using water.
