Things That Make Homes More Energy Efficient

A resident of Montgomery, Texas, William “Bill” Starkey served as the CEO of Starkey Construction in Waxahachie for nearly 40 years. Focused on building high-end homes, William Starkey was responsible for all operations, from life cycle assessments to energy efficiency for green construction.

Energy efficiency in a home or other building is not only impacted by the use of energy-efficient appliances. In addition, many seemingly small additions to a home can go a long way toward promoting better use of energy. This often begins at the studs of the home, with good insulation. Effective insulation controls the amount of heat and cold that flows in and out of a house, which improves comfort and minimizes use of the air conditioner and heater.

The window quality of a building also affects energy efficiency. Since insulation cannot be added to window spaces, it’s essential that windows are not leaky or too old. This means that windows need regular replacing, especially if they are not energy-efficient models. Replacing single-glazed windows, for instance, leads to a significant savings on energy costs, according to EnergyStar.gov.

Landscaping is also a commonly overlooked part of energy-efficiency. Good landscaping, specifically landscaping that incorporates trees, saves energy when installed in certain areas around a house because the features can block sunlight. This method of saving energy is most effective for homes that do not have good insulation or windows. That being said, it still makes a difference (albeit a smaller one) for homes that already have a protective shell.