When planning to build or do a renovation of your home, consider the position and design. The following tips can help improve the energy efficiency and ongoing costs.
Orientation
Living areas and rooms you spend lots of time in should be north facing to catch sun and light for the longest part of the day.
Bedrooms should be positioned on the southern side, so they are cooler and more comfortable to sleep in at night.
Eaves
Eaves over north-facing windows can keep unwanted sun out in summer and let the sun’s warmth in during winter.
Living areas
Although open plan designs are popular, they can be difficult and expensive to heat and cool and can be quite noisy. So, make living areas more enclosed to keep heating and cooling costs down.
Zoning
Creating ‘zones’ by grouping rooms with similar uses together – such as living rooms, bedrooms and wet areas – can allow for more efficient heating and cooling.
Trees
Trees and shrubs can be used to block out the harsh morning and afternoon sun on the eastern and western sides of your home during summer.
Patios & Alfresco
Paving directly under north-facing windows reflects heat into the house, so adding a patio or alfresco in these areas can provide extra summer shade.
Glass
Too much glass can make your home very hot in summer and cold during winter. Limit the number of windows on the east and west sides of your home.
Natural cooling
Position windows to maximize cross-ventilation, allowing breezes to flush out warm summer air that’s built up during the day.
Internal temperature
In warmer climates, elevated flooring and light construction materials can help keep the home cool. Metal roofs effectively reflect sunlight and keep internal temperatures down.
Solid materials such as brick, concrete and stone used in the right areas can provide sufficient thermal mass to absorb and store heat during winter.
Insulation
Ceiling and wall insulation can help maintain a quieter and more comfortable home all year round. Curtains or blinds with pelmets that sit firmly in the window frame can improve the insulation of your windows.
Lighting
While natural light offers the cheapest solution, fluorescent lights are also great as they save energy and last longer than standard lights.
LED lights can save as much energy as fluorescents and can last three times longer or more. While they are more expensive, technology is improving so they should become more affordable soon.
Colour
Your exterior colour scheme can have an impact on indoor comfort, so ensure walls and roofs are light-coloured. This way, they can reflect heat and help keep your home cool in summer.
