Ensuring Your Custom Home Is Energy Efficient (Building A Custom Home Series, Part 3 of 4)

Building an energy efficient custom home in New Jersey is a huge undertaking that has a lot of moving parts, although an experienced contractor such as Barrister will be able to simplify the process for you and make it as painless as possible. One way we do this is by educating our clients about different aspects of the project, which is why we set out to write this series of articles. In other parts of the series we discuss what to think about when laying out your New Jersey custom home, how to care for your custom house, and how long the process might take. In this article, we’re going to tackle a crucial, but often underappreciated, facet of homebuilding; that is, energy efficiency.

Choosing the right insulation and other building materials can make your home more energy efficient. You can also save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in utility bills per year. Doing so also means you are reducing your carbon footprint, which is important now more than ever. In addition, homebuilders must keep up with ever-changing building codes, especially when it comes to the environment—which is why you need an experienced and knowledgeable contractor, like Barrister.

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Perhaps the first thing people think of when they think of energy efficiency is their refrigerator, dishwasher, and laundry machines. Appliances today come with an energy star rating, and the purpose of the rating system is to explain how efficient the appliances are. These highly-rated appliances are becoming standard for new builds—but there is more energy efficiency than simply the appliances you choose to put in.

Framing and Roofing

Advanced house framing involves using less lumber by using insulation to replace some wood frames and only using single-lumber headers. This technique can help cut down on waste and cost. When it comes to roofing, a cool roof can be a good choice because it is made from reflective material which means less sunlight is absorbed. It also keeps the interior cool in warmer months. These types of decisions are crucial to maximizing your energy efficiency, and you should be able to rely on your contractor to guide you to making the best choice.

Heating and Cooling

HVAC systems today generally focus on necessary climate-control in areas that are highly-trafficked in your house. The point of this is to avoid extreme temperatures so there is less energy use. Builders look for new insulation materials to maintain a constant temperature, and they will also look to seal off any crevices so hot or cold air doesn’t seep out.

High-Quality Windows

Sometimes overlooked, windows can make or break the energy bill in some parts of the country—and especially here in the northeast, where it gets very cold in the winter. This is because poorly-made windows can allow heating (or cooling, in the summer months) to escape the house. This means you could be losing money in utility costs. However, if you choose double-pane or multi-pane windows, you could potentially save a ton of money in utility costs every year.

Landscaping

It’s important not to focus solely on the house itself, but the entire lot in which your custom home will reside. For example, planting trees on the southern part of your yard can block sun rays from entering your home. Or in some places, you might be able to reduce wind gusts by planting shrubs near the northern part. The specifics will change depending on the layout of your lot, of course, which is why you need a consultative and creative-thinking home contractor to help you build your custom home in New Jersey. But no matter what, plants along the exterior of your home can protect your home from the elements, as well as add shade and insulation to your property.

Overall Home Energy Rating

Having your home evaluated by organizations that focus on energy efficiency, like the Home Energy Rating System, can give you insight on how efficient your home is. It can

also help you to see where you are lacking so you can improve your energy efficiency. The most important thing, however, is to build your custom home with an eye towards energy efficiency when you’re still in the planning process.

So when you’re ready to get a quote on your custom home project in New Jersey, reach out to Barrister on our website here, or call us at (201) 891-7774 for a free quote. We look forward to working with you!