Designing and Remodeling a Home

Before you design a new home or remodel an existing one, you should consider investing in its energy efficiency. You'll save energy and money in the long run. It's also a good time to invest in a renewable energy system that will provide your home with electricity, water heating, or space heating and cooling.

If you'd like to design an energy-efficient home, no matter what type of design, you should use what's called the whole-house systems approach.

If you're remodeling a home, conduct an energy audit to help you determine what energy efficiency improvements should and can be made to your home.

Learn how to optimize energy efficiency with the following home designs and construction techniques:

* Advanced House (Wall) Framing Techniques
Reduce lumber use and waste—improving energy efficiency—in the construction of a traditional wood-framed house.

* Earth-sheltered Homes
Incorporate earth into their structure and design for durability and energy efficiency.

* Log Homes
Use wooden logs to provide structure and insulation.

* Manufactured Homes
Feature energy-efficient options for new homes and improvements for older homes.

* Passive Solar Homes
Take advantage of climatic conditions, especially the sun, for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.

* Straw Bale Homes
Use straw bales to provide all or part of their structure and insulation.

* Zero Energy Homes
Produce more energy than they use.