Before you build your new home, consider building an energy-efficient home, it does not mean that your construction and labor costs will increase.  With recent technological improvements the fact is that choosing more efficient options will basically cost the same or just a fraction more than what you might think, and with your future savings on energy costs it would most definitely pay for itself within the first year...

Select an architect that is involved with low energy-efficient house designs.  Ask your architect options on Solar Power.  You can use solar power in several different ways, low energy-efficient appliances, solar cooker, solar roofing tiles, solar paint, and solar hot water panels, use it to power small appliances, heat homes.  More and more people are "going solar".  This is the way of the future.

Solar power is produced by solar panels these panels use rays of sunlight to hit the solar panel (also know as a photovoltaic/ PV) and are absorbed by semi-conducting materials such as silicone.  Photovoltaic cells convert light energy into electrical energy.  This system helps to protect the Environment by reducing fossil fuel by products released into the air. The use of solar panels to supply power to the appliances use in our homes, along with heating water .

Insulating Concrete Forms ICF  Houses constructed in this manner consist of two layers of extruded foam board  one inside the house and one outside the house that act as the form for a steel-reinforced concrete center.  It’s the fastest technique and least likely to have construction mistakes.  Such buildings are also very strong and easily exceed code requirements for areas prone to tornadoes or hurricanes.

Windows  There have been many improvements in windows recently, such as argon, low-E and double and triple-glazed windows. A typical home loses more than 18 percent of its heat through windows.  Even modern window insulate less than a wall.  Therefore, an energy-efficient house in a heating dominated climate should, in general, have a few windows on its northern, eastern and western sides.  The total window area should also not exceed 8 to 9 percent of the floor area for those rooms, unless the designer is experienced in passive solar techniques.  If this is the case, then increasing window are on the southern side of the house to about 12 percent of the floor area is recommended.   

Energy-efficient Appliances with relatively high operating efficiencies are usually more expensive to purchase.  However, higher efficiency appliances provide a measure of insurance against increases in energy prices, emit less air pollution, and are attractive selling points when the home is sold.

Minimize your heat loss  Keep your house plan simple and compact A house that is compact and without extensions will have less heat loss due to the reduction in the external walls and roof area.  Remember that single storey houses lose more heat through the roof than two or three storey houses where the rising heat is used throughout the levels before reaching the roof.

Ventilation is an important aspect not to be overlooked as it provides both fresh air and removes stale air and moisture. Removing moisture prevents bacterial growth thus maintaining a healthy living environment.  All rooms should have trickle ventilation - allowing air to come in at a trickle rate to provide required room air change rate per hour (ACH).

As solar technology advances and becomes mass produced, the cost to the consumer continues to decline. It can be used with other environmentally friendly energy sources like wind power to provide electricity to entire cities. This is just one way to conserve the world’s energy resources for future generations.  We certainly hope as you will soon discover along with the reasons to use solar power that we have mentioned above. If you carry out further research for yourself you will discover plenty of other reasons why using an alternative power supply source such, as this is good.

To find more information about Playa del Carmen Mexico builders and construction please contact Dream Homes Construction in Playa Del Carmen.