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Preplanning your new home construction can result in a home that is both comfortable and energy efficient.
Building Sites: Strategically locate your home and/or use plants and trees to save energy. As an example, shielding your home from cold north winds and orienting windows to the south for maximum solar gain can cut your winter heating costs. In the summer, you may want to provide shade to protect your home from direct sunlight and allow for cooling winds to reduce air conditioning costs. A knowlegeable landscaping professional can help.
Building Envelope: By conforming to the applicable building codes recommended by the State of Minnesota, you can be assured of a high level of energy efficiency. But, you can exceed minimum requirements with cost effective measures.
The easiest means to reduce energy consumption is to reduce uncontrolled air leakage. Paying attention to such details as vapor barrier sealing at penetrations and seams and properly adjusting doors and windows can dramatically reduce the potential for air leaks. You can also upgrade the required mechanical ventilation system to a heat recovery type for additional energy savings.
You should also pay attention to details when installing insulation. Proper framing techniques can allow sufficient insulation around trouble spots, such as edge plates and corners. "Detailing" the insulation by not overstuffing cavities, and by properly meeting all seams can add up to big energy savings. Spend some extra time with a can of foam insulation to fill up those little cracks and crevices. Your home will be more comfortable and your energy bills will be smaller.
Quality doors and windows are extremely important. Purchasing a higher grade of door or window can reduce your energy use. Better quality doors and windows will also last longer and retain a tight seal as your home ages.
If you want to learn more about insulation/weatherization techniques,
click here
Mechanical Equipment and Appliances: Your choice of space and water heating, cooling equipment and other appliances can dramatically affect how your new home operates and the amount of money you will pay for energy. It is normally cost effective to purchase the most efficient appliances you can. Most major appliances now have labeling that lists their estimated energy consumption so you can easily compare their efficency.
Your Crow Wing Power representative can also give you additional information on relative costs to heat and cool your home. Electric heating offers distinct advantages to you in cleaner operation, reduced maintenance and operating costs, and increased safety for your family.
If you want to learn more about Heating Sources...click here
To learn more about the overall building process, you may want to check out the Builder's Association of Minnesota...click here
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