‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌Methods for reducing energy consumption when building a new dwelling house 

‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‌‍‌Methods for reducing energy consumption when building a new dwelling house

When you want to build a new dwelling house or redesigning an existing one, it is always essential to ensure that you utilize the commonly available building materials to ensure zero energy usage. In most cases, it is still advisable to use natural and renewable sources of energy that are widely available. Your house should be utterly off-grid in such a way that it does not depend on the artificial sources of energy. In most cases, energy consumption at homes is dependent on the home’s structure design, lighting systems, heating and cooling of the house home appliances and the hot water systems. Below are some of the steps taken that can help you build an affordable zero energy home that will cost you less to build.

Smart Design

It is the duty of the architects, engineers, and interior designers to team up, brainstorm, and come up with smart design of a zero energy house and a cost-effective one. Effective communication between the builders and designers will ensure that the builders implement all the parameters set during the designing process. Smart home design is a house that mostly uses readily available sources of energy like solar, hydrogen, wind, and biomass.

Ventilation

This is the process by which clean air is intentionally allowed to enter a room, and at the same time, the stale air is removed from the room. This can be either achieved by using natural means or mechanical ones. Increasing the sizes of the windows is one way of ensuring that the room enough free air circulation. Windows are fitted with pelmets which naturally direct warm and light air outside. The fresh air then gets inside the room through the lower side of the window. Double glazed windows typically prevent heat from the outside to enter the room naturally. This helps in maintaining the heat temperatures in the room

Heating

To maintain the heat temperatures inside the room, it is advisable to fit the house with a lot of insulation. Also, the use of curtains is another way of regulating the amount of heat in a home. When there is cold inside the room, and there is sunlight, open the curtains to pave the way for sunlight, which carries some warmth. Closing the unused rooms to prevent heat from escaping the room. It is also advisable to use plush area rugs on the floor made of tiles to avoid direct body contact with the story. Caulking the window frames ensures that the is no air leakage. Therefore warm air is conserved in the room during winter. It involves closing all window spaces with a flexible material to seal all the gaps, joints of less than an inch or any cracks

Reduce water consumption

Fixing any household leakages anytime they are noticed is one way of reducing water wastage. When building, it is advisable to use water-saving toilets and water-saving showerheads. Constructing a recycling plant at home when constructing a house is another way of reducing water wastage. The used water is then directed to the plant for recycling.

Electrical energy

One of the most significant ways of conserving electrical energy is the use of renewable sources of energy. These include solar energy, wind, and biogas. Equipping the house with energy-saving appliances would ensure minimal consumption of energy. These appliances may consist of LED bulbs and switching off the lights when not in use.