Energy-Efficient Homes

Achieving energy-efficient homes is a top priority for both homeowners and developers. Energy efficiency not only improves the comfort of a home's occupants but also saves energy, leading to lower bills.

Energy efficiency can be measured in various ways, one of the main ones being the energy rating. The energy rating is a scale ranging from "A" to "G," with an "A" rating being the most efficient.

What is an Energy-Efficient Home Like?

There are countless tips and ideas to achieve energy efficiency in a home. It is crucial to clearly define what an energy-efficient home is and understand its fundamental aspects.

An efficient home is one that reduces unnecessary energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the demand for non-renewable resources. An efficient home is a smart home because it provides more sustainable living conditions while also saving significant amounts of money.

To determine if you have an efficient environment in your home, you only need to measure your dependence on electrical energy and how it affects your comfort. There are many misconceptions that lead to an incorrect idea of what an efficient home is and how to achieve it.

Eco Homes vs. Energy-Efficient Homes

There is a great deal of confusion among the public who consider the terms “eco homes” and “energy-efficient homes” to be the same.

The first term relates to homes built with ecological and recyclable materials: these homes are created by integrating them into nature without harming it, and they avoid using chemical materials and compounds.

Efficiency is often confused with ecology, as an efficient home is more environmentally friendly because it consumes fewer resources, produces fewer emissions, and is designed to have more durable materials.

8 Keys to Achieving an Energy-Efficient Home

1. Check How the Home is Designed

From the moment a home is designed, it is important to consider building an energy-efficient house.

We recommend that the home be fully integrated with its surroundings, seeking the ideal orientation for solar gain.

The main goal is to maintain temperature efficiently by taking advantage of natural resources and avoiding the use of extra climate control.

2. Choose Proper Insulation

Having adequate thermal insulation can generate energy savings of up to 50% on electricity bills, potentially saving up to 400€ on the annual electricity bill in an average home.

It is recommended to have insulation between 10 to 15 centimeters in walls, increasing up to 20 centimeters of insulation in the roof.

To achieve greater insulation, it is necessary to choose insulating windows with double or triple glazing and properly insulated shutter boxes.

3. Energy Category “A” Appliances

An efficient appliance can save an average of 35 euros per year in electricity, provided that high-efficiency models (A) are chosen.

Not only that, but the bill will also largely depend on how the appliance is used. Therefore, it is necessary to review the electricity tariff contracted in the home because, for an average household, the annual difference between the most expensive and the cheapest electricity bill can exceed 700 euros per year.

4. Implement Water Saving Tips

Speaking of efficient homes, it is essential to address the importance of balanced water consumption. According to a study by the National Statistics Institute, Spanish households consumed an average of 133 liters of water per person per day in 2020, the last year for which data is available.

To avoid wasting water, there are several solutions:

• Faucets with aerators, which help control water flow, saving at least 50% of water without losing the sensation of flow.
• Efficient water heaters to avoid losing cold water while waiting for it to heat up.
• Do not throw waste into the toilet, as this prevents clogs and unnecessary water wastage.
• Utilize Energy Production with Active Systems

To achieve energy efficiency, it is necessary to take active measures by producing our own energy.

In this case, many think of the famous solar panels, but there are other active systems in Spain:

• Geothermal: one of the most efficient technologies for home climate control. It involves using heat pumps with a heat exchanger that transmits the accumulated temperature in the ground to the rest of the home.
• Aerothermal: involves exchanging heat with the outside, generating heating in winter, cooling in summer, and heating water throughout the year.
• LED: Energy-Efficient Lighting

LED lighting compared to conventional lighting represents economic savings and another tool to make your home efficient. Currently, the prices of this type of lighting are at the same level as conventional ones and can be used anywhere in your home.

LED bulbs are more efficient models for producing light, averaging an 80% savings compared to incandescent bulbs.

7. Avoid Waste in Your Daily Life, Install Home Automation Systems

Wasting energy due to ignorance is no longer an excuse. An essential aspect of combating energy waste is being aware of daily actions. Keeping lights off in areas where you are not, taking advantage of natural light instead of artificial light, and fighting cold in the warmest areas of your home are some practices you can follow in your daily life.

In fact, a home automation system allows you to control and analyze energy usage in a house. Smart automation benefits lighting, climate control, shutter control, ventilation, and even solar panel control. This way, the resources of your home are optimized.

8. Regularly Check Your Home’s Installations

All elements of a home need to be checked. According to the Thermal Installations Regulations in Buildings (RITE), the review of a domestic gas boiler is mandatory every 2 years.

Additionally, it is highly advisable to check radiators, as using efficient radiators allows for maximizing energy and heat efficiency.

The performance of installations will be better and they will be less exposed to unnecessary wear and tear and repairs due to lack of maintenance, which in the long term also results in significant savings. Prevention is better than cure.

At LuxHabitat, We Contribute to Energy Efficiency from Design to Construction

At LuxHabitat, we are clear about the fundamental aspects needed to ensure that not only individual homes but all our new developments contribute to energy savings and environmental respect.