Best Collection Of 92+ Inspiring Energy Efficiency House Design Voted By The Construction Association

The Passive House design incorporates the most advanced technology in energy efficiency by providing high insulation, excellent air tightness, and passive solar heat gain. This type of design is becoming increasingly popular in condo and apartment buildings since no mechanical systems are required to keep the buildings at comfortable temperature. In hot climates, the Passive House design is becoming more competitive with conventional air conditioning systems due to its ability to keep temperatures inside a structure naturally cool through its insulation and by providing sufficient natural ventilation.

The Passive House design requires a thick external and internal envelope, consisting of high-performance insulation wall and roof systems. Windows facing the sun should be manufactured with glazing materials and thermal breaks, to reduce up to 91 percent of direct solar radiation and prevent the heat inside from being released. Other elements of a Passive House design include high-efficiency airtight doors and windows, and careful attention to thermal bridges.

Green building is a type of design that places emphasis on protecting the environment and reducing its impact on the local ecosystem. A green building house design typically incorporates features such as using renewable energy sources to power its systems, utilizing energy-efficient materials and sustainable products, reincorporating organic and recycled elements into the construction process, and utilizing passive ventilation systems which can help keep the building's temperature comfortable without mechanical systems.

Green buildings are more efficient and cost-effective in the long run since they use less energy than conventional buildings. Furthermore, green buildings tend to be much more ecologically friendly since they reduce our reliance on non-renewable resources, emit fewer pollutants, and require less water for maintenance and cleaning. In addition, green building houses use fewer materials in their construction and produce fewer toxic by-products than conventional houses.

An Energy Star designated home is a design that meets or exceeds industry standards for energy efficiency. The Energy Star certification is given by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to products and services that are less detrimental to the environment and that use less energy. Homeowners who choose to invest in an Energy Star house design can save up to 30% in energy costs every year, thanks to its efficient insulation, HVAC systems, energy-saving windows and doors, and low-maintenance landscaping.

Rigorous testing is conducted on Energy Star products to ensure that they meet or exceed industry standards. This type of house is typically built with well-insulated walls and ceilings, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and appliances that use minimum energy. In addition, Energy Star house designs typically include automatic timers, energy-saving light bulbs, and Energy Star-rated appliances.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED certified homes, are designed with the intention of maximizing environmental friendliness and energy efficiency. LEED design is greatly beneficial to homeowners, as it can significantly reduce energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and conserve resources.

Typical elements in LEED house designs include high levels of insulation, low-VOC (or volatile organic compound) paints and finishes, slow-flow fixtures, and energy-efficient appliances. Additionally, many of the materials used to construct LEED homes are recycled or sustainably sourced, and the air-tight sealed building envelope helps reduce heat loss and maximize the efficiency of the building's energy usage.

Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs, are panels made from insulation and structural elements that are used to construct homes in a more effective and energy-efficient manner. SIPs are constructed with layers of polystyrene insulation between two sheets of OSB (oriented strand board), and many of these panels come pre-insulated.

The benefits of using SIPs in a house design include faster and less-costly construction due to the pre-fabricated nature of the panels, stronger and more air-tight walls, longer-lasting products due to their durability and resistance to moisture, and superior energy efficiency due to the trapped air inside the panels. Additionally, many of the SIPs used in construction are made from recycled materials.

Radiant heating systems are great options to consider for those looking to build an energy-efficient and comfortable home. Radiant heating systems work by distributing heat evenly throughout the home with the use of strategically placed tubes or panels in ceilings or floors. This type of heating system is also great for those who suffer from allergies or respiratory problems since heated air is circulated in a controlled environment and circulated with the use of filters.

The radiant heating house design requires certain components to work properly. These components include heat source, pipes and coils circuit, thermostat valves, and the heat emitters. Heat source may include gas, electric, or solar, and the emitters could be either a slab, panels, or tubing. Additionally, proper insulation and air tightness can help with energy efficiency, heat distribution, and overall comfort.

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a type of wood product that consists of several layers of glued boards stacked on top of one another with the grain of each layer perpendicular to the one below. It is extremely strong and light, and most importantly, it is renewable and sustainable.

CLT house designs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to build an eco-friendly home. CLT is highly cost-effective, since it can reduce construction time, materials, and labour costs. Furthermore, CLT homes are energy-efficient, fire-resistant, carbon-sequestering, and are much lighter than homes built with traditional construction materials.

Solar power is a renewable energy source that is becoming increasingly popular for powering homes. House designs incorporating solar panels can significantly reduce the home’s electricity bill as the panels generate electricity directly from the sun.

In order to incorporate solar power into a house design, several components are required, including the solar panel itself, the battery storage system, an inverter, and the necessary wiring. Solar panel size and wattage depend on the output needed to power the home and the amount of available sunlight. Additionally, an efficient house design can help ensure that the home catches as much sunlight as possible for optimal energy efficiency.

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that harnesses the heat of the earth. Geothermal house designs take advantage of this energy source by transferring heat from the ground into the house to help keep it at a comfortable temperature.

A geothermal energy house design typically incorporates extensive insulation, tight air sealing, and an external heat pump connected to several underground pipes. These pipes bring hot or cold air from the ground into the house depending on the season, eliminating the need for a conventional HVAC system. As a result, geothermal designs are highly efficient and cost-effective in the long run.

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) house designs are becoming increasingly popular in homebuilding since they provide superior quality, strength, and insulation compared to traditional wood-framed houses. ICF construction consists of forming insulated concrete walls and providing sound insulation.

ICF house designs provide several advantages, such as increased strength and energy efficiency, noise reduction, and superior thermal mass, which helps keep the home at a comfortable temperature no matter the season. In addition, ICF construction produces minimal wood waste, requires less labour, and is easy to maintain.

Net zero energy buildings are designed to generate as much energy over the course of a year as they consume, thus entirely offsetting any energy expenses they incur. This type of house design focuses on energy efficiency, using materials that are highly insulation to help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the home, as well as reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Typically, a net zero energy house design includes a thick external and internal envelope, as well as solar panels or other renewable energy sources. In addition, energy-efficiency measures such as proper ventilation and insulation are key elements in a net zero energy house design. Additionally, these designs may also incorporate energy-consumption monitoring systems to provide owners with data on how much energy their home is consuming and producing.