Efficient Home Guide: What to Look for When Building

Building a new home gives you the rare advantage of being able to choose many important elements from the start. Instead of inheriting a floor plan that’s hard to heat, an unknown or uneven amount of insulation, or a hodgepodge of systems that don’t work well together, you can make smart decisions early on that will pay dividends down the line. That’s because energy efficiency isn’t just about one feature or upgrade; it’s about how your whole home works together to keep you comfy and keep your bills manageable. Here are a few key things to keep in mind before you start building. 

Choose an Energy-Conscious Builder

One of the most important choices you’ll make is who you work with to build your home. Not every builder or developer offers high-performance options. If you’ve already chosen a certain neighborhood, you’re likely committed to a specific builder. If you haven’t chosen a location yet, your first step could be finding a builder that you like. 

Look for builders that participate in programs like the ENERGY STAR® Residential New Construction Program or that are familiar with the Department of Energy’s Efficient New Homes Program. 

Make sure to interview multiple builders so you can feel confident in whichever one you choose. 

Invest in Insulation

Building a new home is an opportunity to get some really important things right. One of those things is insulation. A well-insulated, tightly sealed home holds heat in the winter and stays cooler in the summer. You'll pay less for heating and cooling since all that conditioned air isn’t leaking outside. Talk with your builder about your insulation options, and remember that proper ventilation is critical for well-insulated homes. 

Choose the Right HVAC System

When deciding which heating and cooling system is right for your new home, there are a few factors to consider. You might be limited by which type of utilities you have access to (like natural gas or propane). A natural gas-fired furnace or boiler is generally the most cost-effective option, while a ducted heat pump could work well for smaller, open-concept, or all-electric homes. Check out our Home Heating Guide to learn more about the various options. 

Whichever system you choose, make sure it’s properly sized for your home. An undersized system will have to work harder to keep your home comfortable, and an oversized system might cost more to run. Make sure your builder is familiar with designing an HVAC system for a well-insulated home. 

Look for Efficient Appliances

Depending on your builder, you might have several options for kitchen appliances. It’s worth paying a little extra up front for ENERGY STAR-certified appliances, because they’ll cost less to run. Look for the yellow Energy Guide label, which shows how efficient the appliance is compared to other options. 

Water heaters are another important consideration. Heat pump water heaters are up to 30% more efficient than traditional electric options, which can go a long way toward keeping your electric bill manageable. 

Install a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are becoming standard in many new homes. This technology can keep your home comfortable while optimizing your heating and cooling to reduce energy costs. If you have multiple heat sources, like a heat pump and a furnace, the smart thermostat can switch seamlessly between them so you can just “set it and forget it.” 

Set Up Your Home for the Future

Your home’s location will likely determine the size of your electrical panel. Most homes have 100-, 150-, or 200-amp service, which lets you use a certain amount of electricity at any given time. If you have plans to increase the amount of electricity your home uses in the future—like installing an EV charger or adding a heat pump—then you’ll want to make sure your panel has enough extra capacity. 

Learn More

Building a home is an investment in your future. Working with a builder you trust and asking some thoughtful questions along the way will help you feel confident in your decisions. 

Efficiency Smart can help answer your questions about energy efficiency in your new home. Call us at 877-889-3777 or email us at [email protected].