Building Strategies

Design is the first strategy that should be used to reduce the need for fossil-fuel energy. Within this category there are a number of design techniques that are no-cost or low-cost. These strategies can dramatically reduce your home’s need for fossil-fuel energy.

A number of buildings built in the late 70’s and early 80’s, as part of a US Department of Energy study, achieved energy reductions between 50 and 80 percent just through efficient design techniques. The following are just some examples of energy-efficient design strategies that you should discuss with your architect.

Air Sealing
Proper Insulation
Passive Solar
Daylighting
Natural Ventilation
Landscaping
Material Selection