Going back only a decade ago, incorporating renewable energy into the design of a custom-built home was considered a fad. Today, that “fad” is dominating new home construction as well as becoming mandatory in certain parts of the country. So, we figured we would dive into this just a bit deeper to give you some ideas on how you can incorporate renewable energy into your new custom-built home.
Solar Technology
This was arguably the first big “thing” in custom home building that we saw become a reality, and it goes back much further than just this last decade. With the federal government now offering significant tax breaks for incorporating solar panels into the home’s design, it is a no-brainer when building a new home.
You can also consider using a solar water heater, which is becoming the norm in newer homes. Over time, you will see a dramatic decrease in your energy bills, especially if you are like me and like to stand in the shower until the last drop of hot water is gone from the hot water heater.
Wind Turbines
This is not something you would typically see used for a custom home, especially one built in a community, but there are exceptions. There is a device called the PowerPod that is recommended “for places that get less than 300 days of sun a year, a PowerPod could produce more power, for less money than solar panels.”
Geothermal Energy
This is not something that is widely discussed, but it should be. A traditional central cooling and heating system will cost about $10,000 to install, and you are going to have to maintain it and, eventually, replace it. That, of course, does not even account for the energy bills that come along with using a traditional system.
While you may pay more for a geothermal unit upfront, the long-term savings are estimated to be about $33,000 for a home that is only 2,500 square feet, so you can imagine how these savings grow over time with larger homes. The pump is the only part that will realistically have to be replaced at some point, with these particular systems having a lifespan of decades.
We realize that incorporating different aspects of renewable energy into the home design while maintaining aesthetics can be a challenge, which is why we recommend consulting with Better Build Now. Give us a call at 888-402-4180 and a member of our team will explain how our construction consultants and residential construction project managers can help you throughout the design and building process.