In creating a Custom Home, you have the chance to consider alternatives to conventional energy systems. Some alternatives may be near-superficial additions, such as a radiant heating system in your bathroom that nevertheless provide additional comforts. Other alternatives will simply make your home more energy efficient.
At Paradigm Homes, we help our clients create their dream homes down to the last detail. For over a decade, we have worked with numerous individuals and families to construct their ideal homes through our excellent Design/Build Services. Clients throughout Alexandria, VA, and the DC Metro Area continuously show their gratitude for our collaborative process and friendly service.
Below, we discuss several ways that you can increase your home’s efficiency through our Custom Design/Build Services:
Choose Alternative Heating Equipment
You can significantly increase your home’s efficiency by installing an air-source or ground-source heat pump instead of a traditional combustion furnace. Some systems incorporate both sources and are considered extra-efficient.
These systems provide heating and cooling for your home from temperature sources outside a home. Both use high-pressure refrigerant to capture and then move heat between the outside and the inside of the house. However, air-source heat pump systems transfer heat to and from the air while ground-source pump systems transfer it from the ground.
Both are considered far more efficient than conventional furnaces and heat pumps, thus saving you money while keeping your home the perfect temperature.
Saving Energy Through Ventilation
You can also increase your home’s efficiency by upgrading the ventilation system. This can be done with either heat recovery ventilation (HRV) or energy recovery ventilation (ERV).
An HRV system uses heat from stale exhaust air within your home to warm up the fresh air coming in. Your HVAC system thus requires less energy to warm up the inside of your home.
An ERV system does a similar thing but goes a step further. While using indoor air to buffer the temperature of the incoming outdoor air, it also uses the indoor humidity to balance out the dry air coming in. This helps to sustain warmth during colder seasons and reduces heat during the summer.
While both systems will reduce energy consumption in your home, the ERV suits homes in Alexandria best. Virginia’s temperate climate necessitates this, as it shifts between chilly and humid throughout the year.
Taking Advantage of Solar Cells
Finally, the most significant installation to increase your home’s energy efficiency are photovoltaic cells, or solar panels as they are commonly called. According to NPR, recent advancements and government subsidies have made solar among the cheapest sources of energy in the world.
Moreover, Tesla has also been producing and installing their latest models of integrated solar panels, which are designed to be extremely durable, highly-efficient, as well as very aesthetic in terms of curb-appeal and home design.
With enough panels, you’ll be able to generate sufficient electricity for your home, though this depends on the amount you have and its efficiency. Happily, production methods allow for some cells to replace shingle tiles on a roof, which both protects your home and generates energy at the same time.
Paradigm Homes: Design/Build Services in Alexandria, VA
Custom Home Build offers a great deal of potential, especially in maximizing energy efficiency with the appliances listed above. Additionally, with the right contractors and designers at hand, you can produce almost any design you want. At Paradigm Homes, we offer reliable materials and resources from our partners, and we have completed many Custom Design/Build projects for clients throughout Alexandria, VA, and the DC Metro Area. Our team works from the starting design to building completion, guiding you through every step of the process. This ensures your project stays on-budget and produces a home that suits your specifications. Contact us at (703) 476-5877 for more information about our services.
