Energy Efficient Additions

Make Your Home Addition More Energy Efficient

So you’ve finally decided to add on an extra room at the back of the house or build that sunroom you’ve always wanted. Constructing a home addition can be a few months of annoying mess and noise but in the end it’s worth it.

If you are going to invest in the expense of a home addition it also makes sense to ensure that it is as energy efficient as possible. By taking the time to pre-plan and build by using energy efficient techniques, fixtures, and technology, you can save yourself a lot of money in utility costs while ensuring an increase in home comfort.

Where do you start?

The first thing you should consider is purchasing ENERGY STAR rated fixtures – this includes lighting systems, windows, doors, and any appliances that you might be installing in any new home addition. ENERGY STAR certification means that a product meets or exceeds national standards in home energy efficiency.

A Certified Green Professional, CGP contractor along with Colorado Energy Analysts your Certified  RESNET Energy Rater are experts in home efficiency products and construction. They will be able to help you make wise decisions when planning a construction project.

When deciding how you should proceed, you should pay special attention to:

• Windows: Select ENERGY STAR rated windows that have an airtight seal.

• Doors: Should be of high quality and provide a tight seal against the outdoor elements.

• Lighting fixtures: Choose a system that is efficient and allows you to reduce the amount of light through a dimmer control switch.

• Appliances: Select ENERGY STAR rated appliances to reduce your energy consumption.

Depending on what type of home addition you are building, there are other advanced energy-saving devices worth looking at. If your new room will be using a hot water system, this is the time to explore alternatives such as a tank-less water heater. A tank-less water system heats water on demand, as opposed to a tank system that stores and reheats water constantly.

A popular choice for a home addition is a sunroom built onto the back or side area of an existing home. While a sunroom is an enjoyable leisure place in any house, it can be a source of energy loss if not constructed properly. The good news is there are ways to not only build a beautiful sunroom, but to create one that is energy efficient and well insulated. The most important factor when building a sunroom is the type of windows you have installed. Low quality glass and frames will lead to energy loss and a drain on your home’s resources. By installing high quality ENERGY STAR rated windows during construction you will reap the benefits by saving money right from the start!