Last week we explored some of the energy efficiency options to consider when shopping for a new house.
This week, we’ll look at a few more of these options, thanks to the help of John Katrakis of J.T. Katrakis & Associates, an energy and environmental consulting and management firm in Barrington.
These options apply to new homes that have already been built and are ready for occupancy, as well as to homes that are being built from custom plans.
For example, there are a number of options to consider with windows, such as choosing as deep of an overhang on windows as possible. “This provides shading from the summer sun,” explains Katrakis. “The overhangs also allow you to keep the windows open during a rainstorm for ventilation and help keep rain off of a home’s siding for increased durability.”
Another option is to choose casement windows rather than double-hung windows, says Katrakis. “Casement windows, which swing out, can grab the wind and direct it into a room,” he says.
Inside the house, look for rooms that have windows on more than one exterior wall, to allow for cross ventilation.
Consider installing a whole-house fan. On medium warm days, this fan can create enough of an interior breeze so you can leave the air conditioning turned off.
If you’re looking at a two-level home with more than 3,000 square feet, consider separate zoned heating and cooling systems for each level. With zoned air conditioning, for example, you can cool only the upstairs bedrooms after retiring for the night and shut off the downstairs system.
In the winter, you can lower temperatures in the bedrooms upstairs while most of the family is downstairs.
Ask your builder to install an energy-efficient heating and cooling system with an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating (AFUE) of 90 or higher. That rating measures the seasonal or annual efficiency of a system.
Systems with an AFUE of 90-plus receive an Energy Star seal, an endorsement by the federal government for appliances that exceed its energy efficiency standards.
Also ask for sealed-combustion heating systems, which draw in cold air from outdoors instead of warm air from inside your home.
Also consider installing a dual-purpose hot-water heating system that saves energy by heating not only the home but also the tap water.
For summer cooling, look for an air-conditioning system with a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of at least 12 to 14. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the system is.
To save on water and water-heating costs, choose low-flow toilets and shower heads. Such devices can save you thousands of gallons of water each year.
For savings on electricity, install compact fluorescent light fixtures, says Katrakis. “Place these in kitchens, home offices and other areas where lights will be on for four hours a day or more,” he says.
