Energy Efficient House Plans

Energy Efficient house plans have many different design options available, but they all have the following things in common: a high R-value, tightly sealed thermal envelope, controlled ventilation, and lower than usual heating and cooling bills. Energy Efficient house plans do not need to be extremely expensive to construct as most modern energy saving ideas can be seamlessly integrated into any type of house design without sacrificing comfort, health, or aesthetics. Walls and roofs can be made out of plywood sheets that are laminated to a core of foamboard which can be 4 to 8 inches thick. These SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) serve as the house framing and insulation saving time and cost of construction. Energy Efficient house plans may also carefully apply fiberglass batt or roll, wet-spray cellulose or foam insulations to fill wall cavities completely, which will increase the "R" value of your home. Energy Efficient house plans will also have windows placed according to the climate and the majority of the windows will be on the South side of the home with few or no windows on the North side. Awnings or roof overhangs will also characterize Energy Efficient house plans as they control how much heat enters and escapes the home. Another feature of Energy Efficient house plans can be the use of radiant in-floor heating in which tubes are placed under the floor and circulate heated liquid powered by a water heater, small boiler, furnace or electric heat pump. This technique is durable, clean and quiet.