Contrary to popular misconceptions, you don’t have to boil in the summer and freeze in the winter to save money on your energy bill. Energy efficient homes can save you serious money on your utility bills—while keeping your home a comfortable haven. If you’re thinking of building your next house, and want to work in proven energy-efficiency principles, here’s an overview of your options.

• Pick the right place. Where you orient your house can make a big difference in its energy efficiency. You want to place your house so that you can get the most out of solar energy for heating and natural shade for cooling. Ideally, you want to orient your house so that your larger windows face north, to catch full sun during the winter months while shading the house from the sun in summertime.
• Use an open plan. Minimize the walls in your house by following an open plan. The fewer walls, the more air can circulate in the home and the more light can penetrate, heating your home naturally in the colder months.
• Focus on insulation. Well-installed insulation is extremely important in making your home energy-efficient. You must install insulation in your walls and your ceiling, as most of a house’s heat loss is through these areas. The type of insulation you use may depend on your climate, your type of construction, and many other factors—but it’s more important that you hire a competent professional to install your insulation, as improper installation can make more of a difference than the type of insulation material you use.
  
  
  
• Use energy-efficient windows. Your biggest windows should be on the north side of the house, to catch maximum winter sun. Use no or very few windows on your east and west sides, and few windows on the south side—this will minimize the sun your home gets exposed to in the summer. This kind of window arrangement will make your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In addition, solar shades are a great way to shield windows in the summer months from the impact of sunlight—choose the right solar shades, and you may not feel the need for air conditioning at all.
• Think about solar energy. Government grants exist for those who want to incorporate solar energy into their home design. Photovoltaic systems convert solar energy to electricity, and solar hot water heaters will heat your water with a minimal use of grid electricity. These can significantly lower your energy bill, as well as make your home much more environmentally friendly.
• Leak-proof your house. You’ll need to prevent drafts from dragging down your heating efficiency in the winter and adding to discomfort. To do this, make sure windows and skylights are thoroughly caulked, avoiding gaps between joints in walls, ensuring that windows and doors fit well in their frames, and sealing unused fireplaces.
• Maximize your thermal mass. The term “thermal mass” refers to a building material’s ability to retain heat. Truly energy-efficient homes incorporate materials that retain heat well, including stone, concrete, internal bricks, adobe, tile or slate floors, and more. If you design your walls with a layer of heat-absorptive material such as concrete, stone or brick, covered with a glass exterior that focuses the sun’s light, your walls will store heat in the summer without overheating your home—and then release it during the colder months, when you need it most.
• Landscape effectively. There should be plenty of trees around your home’s east, west, and south sides to shield it from summer sun. Keep your north area clear, to let the winter sun in. Shrubs, gardens, trees, and other plants can serve to direct breezes, shield areas of the home you want to keep cool, and generally improve the environment of your home.
• Invest in energy-saving appliances. Once you’ve made your home as energy-efficient as possible, fit it out with Energy Star-rated appliances. If you need additional heating, baseboard heaters can be much more efficient and less costly than a furnace. Energy-efficient refrigerators, kitchen appliances, washers and dryers will make a big difference in your day-to-day efficiency—a difference that you’ll see on your energy bills.

Your home can be highly energy-efficient, save you money on your utility bills, and still be comfortable and inviting. It takes some thought, effort, and money to make your home as energy-efficient as possible, but your ongoing operating costs will be reduced—and you’ll have less of an impact on the environment as well. Follow these tips when designing your next home, and you’ll come to an energy-efficient home design you can live with.