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
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
Intel Reports Revenue Beats but Sees 81% Rise in Losses
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
President Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency After Leg Swelling
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
Tulsi Gabbard Unveils Evidence Alleging Political Manipulation of Intelligence During Trump Administration
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Trump Announces Coca-Cola to Shift to Cane Sugar in U.S. Production
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
Zelensky Reshuffles Cabinet to Win Support at Home and in Washington
"Can You Hit Moscow?" Trump Asked Zelensky To Make Putin "Feel The Pain"
Church of England Removes 1991 Sexuality Guidelines from Clergy Selection
Superman Franchise Achieves Success with Latest Release
Hungary's Viktor Orban Rejects Agreements on Illegal Migration
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
Moonshot AI Unveils Kimi K2: A New Open-Source AI Model
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
Western Europe Records Hottest June on Record
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
China’s Central Bank Consults European Peers on Low-Rate Strategies
France Requests Airlines to Cut Flights at Paris Airports Amid Planned Air Traffic Controller Strike
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
×