Energy Efficiency help with building a house?

Question

My wife and I plan to build a 2,700 SF house in the next few years and want to do a lot ourselves. House location-Central Texas 6 months of 60 degree weather-6 months of 90-100 degree weather. Our current electric bills run $375 on average. We want to install Solar Attic Barrier, Spray in foam for the walls, and a Geothermal heat pump. Is there anything else that would reduce our electric bills other than energy star lights and appliances?

Answer 1

Energy efficient home design on the front end (before building) will save a lot every month down the road! See

http://www.building-your-green-home.com/...

and planning your dream home...

http://www.building-your-green-home.com/...

The above pages and the whole site has lots of great info!

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Choose landscape that will help with cooling in the summer (Texas).  maybe plant a large tree on the south side of house...etc..

Check the above website for details.  Also check local and federal incentives for building green.  You guys are so cool for building energy efficient!

Good Luck

Answer 3

Maybe http://generatorpage.blogspot.com/

thanks - http://harborcommunity.blogspot.com/

Answer 4

The orientation of the house on the land, larger eaves so it shades during the summer and gets light when the sun is lower. Put day use rooms where they will get the light during the day. Type of windows, location of windows and the widow treatments can all help keep heat in or out. Think of cooling with cross ventilation and a heat chimney. Having stone interior walls allows the house to maintain a constant temperature. I use a gable or attic fan to help cool my home. If it is in your budget get solar electric. Make the most use of natural light, having an open floor plan allows light to flow further into the house. Solar tubes are a great lighting option as well. When selecting light fixtures consider how many bulbs they will take. There are many LED options out there too.  

Answer 5

Build the house with 2x6 walls and use R24 for insulation for the roof double the insulation and at the top of the roof line install heat vents about every 15 feet, make sure you have vents on each end of the house. Also use plastic on the walls you build and use silicone to glue the bottom board to the concrete floor to reduce drafts. Use Hot water on demand in the kitchen and bathrooms and washing room you will cut your bill by 50% or more and stay cozy too.