Energy-efficient homes are no longer an up-and-coming trend – they’re now a staple when it comes to new home construction. And as the green features and technology included in modern builds continue to evolve, it’s important for prospective homeowners to stay ahead of the curve. That way, they can include the latest features in energy efficiency in the blueprints for their new home. Here, Segal & Morel, a custom homebuilder serving New Jersey and Pennsylvania, explains the top must-haves for an energy-efficient home.
High-Quality Insulation and Sealing
One of the earliest considerations that should be made for any new build is its insulation – and not just any insulation will yield a more energy-efficient home. Investing in high-quality insulating materials is important, as is trusting an experienced professional to handle the installation. With a thorough, tight fit, and materials that will last a lifetime, a home’s insulation can accomplish the following:
- Making the home more comfortable
- Using less heat or air conditioning
- Keeping heat or air conditioning from escaping the home
- Muting noise from both inside and outside the home
- Reducing energy costs
Equally important considerations are air sealing and duct sealing services. For one, air sealing the finished areas of the home can prevent serious air leaks from occurring, as well as help to keep a consistent temperature in all areas of the home. Meanwhile, duct sealing uses a sealant to ensure the furnace’s ducts won’t leak air, which maintains the desired temperature in each room and enhances a home’s energy efficiency as a result.
To further decrease the home’s overall energy consumption and enhance its efficiency we install HRV units to work with the HVAC system. These units bring in fresh air from the outside and preheat or cool the fresh air with the being exhausted.
Trust the Advice of an Expert
Energy Star appliances, efficiency water heaters, and LED lighting are among the other important considerations people make when building an energy-efficient home. Even features like the color of your home’s exterior can make a difference in how energy-efficient it will be. For example, dark or dull tones may absorb as much as 90% of sunlight, which can bring unwanted heat inside and increase the need for air conditioning.
That’s why it’s so important to work with an experienced homebuilder like Segal & Morel, which constructs green homes in NJ and PA with the latest developments in energy efficiency. To learn more about must-have features for an energy-efficient home, contact us today.
