When building a new home, energy efficiency should be high on your list of priorities. Not only for the sake of being kinder to the environment, but for your finances too. 

Reducing energy consumption is crucial because it limits damage to our ecosystem and reduces the use of natural resources like land, water, and raw materials.

Fortunately, there are many methods and materials to help those looking to build their new home with energy efficiency in mind:

1.Building orientation

The shape and orientation of your build will greatly influence the heating and cooling of your home. A great tip for reducing minimizing energy consumption is to orient the home to face south; this will capture the sun in the winter and block solar gain in the summer. 

2. Thicker walls and better insulation

This might seem fairly obvious but it really is one of the best ways to keep your bills low. Unlike buying an older home where it can be difficult and expensive to fix poor insulation, your own build means you have full control over the heating of your home.

3. Super-seal the building envelope

One of the most cost-effective measures you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home! Research the proven, air-sealing approaches out there and choose one that matches your climate and budget. A blower door test during construction can identify potential air leaks.

4. Add energy-efficient light fixtures 

The right lighting has everything to do with saving energy. Consider LED options – they last a lot longer than usual lights and are more energy-efficient than CFLs. Place them strategically and utilise natural light wherever you can.

5. Metal roofs

Different materials for roofs can make a surprisingly big difference to how your home retains energy. Metal roofs are great because they reflect the sun and help keep your home cooler.

6. Add doors to close off spaces

A lot of Kiwi homes are open plan and can take a lot of energy to heat or cool. Think about ways around this by blocking off certain areas of your home that may not need to be heated or cooled as much.

Remember, understanding and responding to your site’s natural context will influence how much energy your home uses and how you choose to build.

At Trenz, we pride ourselves on helping our clients make the right choices. Our innovative software allows you to visualise your design, so you can switch things around and tweak your space to your liking. 

Once you have this locked down, our experienced and highly-skilled team work closely with you to select the best materials and guide you through the entire building process.

Sound like something you could get on board with? Speak with us today.