Energy Efficient Home Designs

Ultra-efficient home design combines state-of-the-art energy-efficient buildings, appliances and lighting with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar hot water and solar power. By taking advantage of local climate and site conditions, designers can incorporate passive solar heating and cooling and energy-efficient landscaping strategies. The aim was to reduce household energy use as cost-effectively as possible, and then meet the reduction requirements through an on-site renewable energy system.

Another strategy for achieving ultra-efficient homes is to build or retrofit to strict, voluntary passive house standards. The result is an insulated, airtight structure that greatly reduces heating and cooling requirements.

In many parts of the country, homeowners can recoup some of the cost of energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through tax rebates and other financial incentives. Visit the State Renewable Energy and Efficiency Incentives Database for a list of current incentives in your area.