When building a home, there is a lot to consider. Of course, you will have a general idea of how big you want your home to be. Then there is the number of rooms and how you want them arranged. You may even have a picture in your mind of how you want the exterior of your home and your landscaping to appear. But one thing that many people do not immediately think of is how to get the best start with their home by integrating energy-efficient features into its design instead of retrofitting it later.
Building your energy-efficient home from the ground up can future-proof you from rising energy costs. It will begin saving you money on your utility bills from the first day you move in. You will also see a faster return on your investment because of these savings. Here is why you should consider investing in an energy-efficient design for your new manufactured home.
Whole Systems Approach to Energy Efficiency
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, making your home energy-efficient depends on a whole-house systems approach. This means considering all the details, variables, and interactions that impact your home’s energy use. Climate, building site conditions, and occupant behavior play a big part, but so do:
- Insulation and air sealing
- Heating and cooling
- Water heating
- Windows, doors, and skylights
- Lighting and daylighting
- Appliances and home electronics
These are all things that go into building an energy-efficient home.
Benefits of Building an Energy Efficient Home
Yes, depending on the energy-saving options you incorporate into your new home, the upfront cost is slightly higher. But the good news is that manufactured homes are built to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Code. Therefore, they provide a good slate to begin with to build an energy-efficient home.
Considerations for Homes in Warmer Climates
Often, much focus is placed on insulation when it comes to energy efficiency. Even though Florida’s climate is milder and does not experience harsh winter weather, your home still does require insulation. It helps keep heat in your home during the winter and out of your home during the summer while keeping the cooled air indoors. You can further improve your home’s airtightness by caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows.
Another factor to consider in a warm and sunny climate like Florida’s is the sun, of course. There is a good reason why Florida is known as the “Sunshine state.” Yes, the sun can be your foe when trying to maintain the energy efficiency of your home. However, with the right design and features in your home, you can take advantage of the sun’s light and energy to make it more energy-efficient.
Passive solar home design allows you to take advantage of site and climatic conditions to help keep your home cooler during the summer. A cool roof made of highly reflective materials reflects sunlight and absorbs less heat to help keep your home cooler.
While it is technically not part of your home’s construction, your landscape factors into the energy efficiency of your home. Palms, leafy shade trees, or shrubs planted on your home’s west side can help block infrared radiation from the sun that will heat your house.
You can take advantage of Florida’s sunny days by harnessing the free and renewable energy created by the sun with a solar energy system. Solar energy can be used for hot water systems, pool heaters, powering your home’s heating and cooling system, and providing electricity to your home.
Elements to Consider for Your New Florida Home
How well the outer shell, also known as the “building envelope,” is built, plays a substantial part in how energy-efficient a home will be. It is the first line of defense for maintaining an efficient barrier to keep the home’s interior independent of outdoor temperature and humidity conditions. A tight seal increases the home’s energy efficiency, while a leaky building envelope undermines its efficiency.
If you have a new home built or have an existing home, it is possible to increase its energy efficiency. Here are several features to consider:
- Energy-efficient lighting, including LED light fixtures and bulbs
- Smart thermostats and control systems for lighting
- High-efficiency HVAC equipment like higher SEER-rated heat pumps or central air conditioning units
- Dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture
- Tankless water heaters to eliminate energy loss associated tank storage
- Solar water heaters for heating water
- Energy-efficient appliances for your home including ENERGY STAR-rated:
- Refrigerators
- Clothes washers and dryers
- Dishwashers
- Ovens
- Induction stovetops
Atlas Smart Advantage
The advantage of having your home built by Atlas is that we already incorporate efficient and environmentally smart features. Atlas homes are affordable and value-engineered for energy efficiency. Our energy-efficient homes come standard with:
- R-30 ceiling insulation
- R-13 wall insulation on stick builds
- Lennox 15 SEER heat pump for energy-efficient cooling and heating
- Programmable Wi-Fi enabled Honeywell thermostat
Our homes are built to last and come with many standard energy-efficient features that others do not offer. You can have peace of mind knowing that your energy-efficient home will save you money over the long term. Contact our team to get started.