Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

Ask an Expert: How Do I Make My Home More Energy-Efficient?

Ask an Expert: How Do I Make My Home More Energy-Efficient?

Three eco-conscious designers share simple ways to boost your home's energy efficiency.

Switching to clean energy is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, but there are other ways to make lasting change. Here, three Texas-based designers who put sustainability first share tips for making your dwelling more eco friendly. From pre-build considerations to strategies for existing homes, here’s how to live more lightly on the land.



South-facing windows of the Ames House by Matt Fajkus Architecture are inset to provide shading and mediate heat gain.

Unsurprisingly, daylighting is on everyone’s mind. Austin-based architect Matt Fajkus encourages his clients to bake it into design thinking by focusing on solar orientation, breeze-flow, and the preservation of shade trees. "We site structures to minimize heat gain while providing ample openings for natural light," says Fajkus. Roof geometry and insulation are other important factors, he explains.



Venessa Torres of V MODE de Vie guided her client to choose LED lighting, energy-star appliances, and solar shades throughout this home.

It follows that working in step with nature has the added benefit of increasing wellness: Fajkus notes, "Daylighting puts us in touch with the natural rhythm of the day, which is emotionally soothing."

Windows are another key element. Charles Culp, professor at architecture at Texas' A&M University, designed his own home with very few windows on the east and west sides, and abundant openings on the north and south sides. "Shaded windows on the south side give us daylighting year-round and free heat in winter," he explains. If replacing windows, look for products with a low U-Value (a measurement of thermal transmittance). A layer of UV film can improve the performance of existing windows that aren’t energy efficient.



Daylighting creates a soothing environment in this home designed by Matt Fajkus Architecture.

Keeping an eye on appliances matters, too. Dallas-based designer Vennesa Torres, founder of eco-conscious interior design firm V Mode de Vie, suggests homeowners begin by replacing older items such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators with models bearing the Energy Star symbol. "In most cases," she says, "they aren’t more expensive than appliances without them, yet the annual energy-cost savings is substantial."



Matt Fajkus Architecture maintained large trees surrounding its Hewn House project to allow for ample shade.



Natural ventilation in Matt Fajkus Architecture’s Main Stay house reduces need for air conditioning while improving indoor-outdoor flow.

Torres’s additional tricks include simply installing a ceiling fan or looking into a smart thermostat. "A simple app on my smartphone gives me remote access our HVAC system to power down when we’re away-I can’t live without it."

If you haven't already, change your lightbulbs. Culp points out, "It’s one of the lowest-cost, most impactful measures you can take to cut energy consumption."



The Via Media residence by Matt Fajkus Architecture features windows galore in the kitchen.

Responsible design and even small changes can result in not only massive savings but better living. As Fajkus says, "Energy efficiency is a byproduct of thoughtful, holistic design and goes hand-in-hand with creating a more comfortable home."



Matt Fajkus Architecture carefully sited the dining room of its Creekbluff studio project to take full advantage of tree canopy for both quality of light and energy efficiency.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
France Faces New Political Crisis, again, as Prime Minister Bayrou Pushed Out
Nayib Bukele Points Out Belgian Hypocrisy as Brussels Considers Sending Army into the Streets
France, at an Impasse, Heads Toward Another Government Collapse
The Country That Got Too Rich? Public Spending Dominates Norway Election
EU Proposes Phasing Out Russian Oil and Gas by End of 2027 to End Energy Dependence
More Than 150,000 Followers for a Fictional Character: The New Influencers Are AI Creations
EU Prepares for War
Trump Threatens Retaliatory Tariffs After EU Imposes €2.95 Billion Fine on Google
Tesla Board Proposes Unprecedented One-Trillion-Dollar Performance Package for Elon Musk
Gold Could Reach Nearly $5,000 if Fed Independence Is Undermined, Goldman Sachs Warns
Uruguay, Colombia and Paraguay Secure Places at 2026 World Cup
Trump Administration Advances Plans to Rebrand Pentagon as Department of War Instead of the Fake Term Department of Defense
Big Tech Executives Laud Trump at White House Dinner, Unveil Massive U.S. Investments
Tether Expands into Gold Sector with Profit-Driven Diversification
‘Looks Like a Wig’: Online Users Express Concern Over Kate Middleton
Florida’s Vaccine Revolution: DeSantis Declares War on Mandates
Trump’s New War – and the ‘Drug Tyrant’ Fearing Invasion: ‘1,200 Missiles Aimed at Us’
"The Situation Has Never Been This Bad": The Fall of PepsiCo
At the Parade in China: Laser Weapons, 'Eagle Strike,' and a Missile Capable of 'Striking Anywhere in the World'
The Fashion Designer Who Became an Italian Symbol: Giorgio Armani Has Died at 91
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Druzhba Pipeline Incident Sparks Geopolitical Tensions
Cost of Opposition Leader Péter Magyar's Economic Plan Revealed
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Budapest Central European Fashion Week Kicks Off
U.S. Celebrates Labor Day
Hungarian National Team Captain Scores Epic Goal
×