Energy Efficient Small House Plans

Lowering Energy Costs

This will provide you with a basic blueprint towards building a small house that's lean and mean when it comes to energy efficiency.

By using these affordable tips, you'll significantly slow the flood of money you’re paying for utility costs to a trickle and bank more funds as a result. This is being frugal at its finest.

Energy Efficient House Tips

How To Build A Small Energy Efficient House

Having basic knowledge of the building materials that go into a house will be to your benefit; especially when working with a builder. This includes lumber, insulation, foam, windows, plumbing, electrical.

We built our home 11 years ago and worked side by side with the builder after doing our research. We ended up having our home built right and to our specifications.

Ok, armed with this knowledge, you're ready to do the following:

1. Where To Build

   Find a building location that you'll be happy with. Do you want more privacy and acreage or are you looking to be in a subdivision?

   If you're going the subdivision route, is there a homeowners association (HOA)? If so, get a copy of the bylaws to find out what the restrictions, or lack of restrictions are. What are the annual HOA costs?

   Very important - Location, Location, Location. Please make sure you build your home in an area with a good school district, low property taxes, and relatively close to freeways and shopping.

   These are big selling factors that people look for when buying a home which tend to drive up home values.

   By the way, you'll want to avoid having your new home built along a major traveled road. This doesn't do much for property values or your privacy.

2. Floor Plan

   We spoke to three different builders reviewing all of their floor plans before deciding on one that we really liked. This is very important because you want to be comfortable in your home.

   For example, do you prefer a larger kitchen? Instead of having a front room and a living room, would you prefer instead do have one big great room?

   Remember, the living room and the kitchen will be the two most used rooms in your home.

   Oh, and don't forget about bathrooms. Especially if you have kids, what will better work for you? 1.5 or 2.5 bathrooms for instance?

Summary - Energy Efficient Small House Plans

If put to use, you'll be saving money and have a huge jump start towards building that energy efficient house of your dreams.