Learn how energy efficient house plans
save you BIG BUCKS in energy costs!

With energy costs rising significantly, interest in energy efficient house plans has risen, too. But what exactly comprises an energy efficient home design?




















The most important factor in an energy efficient house plan is the "building envelope." This consists of a home's foundation, walls, roof, windows, and doors. The building envelope not only protects you and your family, but it also helps regulate the indoor environment, and controls the flow of energy between the home's interior and exterior. So your choice of walls, roof, windows, and doors is critical to having an energy efficient home.

Much of an energy efficient home design depends on your goals and your budget. Some people want an ultra-energy efficient home that collects solar energy, uses geothermal heating and cooling, and other technologies--all of which add (sometimes significant) cost to building a home. Those technologies are great, and if you have the budget, we encourage you to learn more about them and invest in them. Our site contains lots of good information about these technologies.

Other people are willing to sacrifice a "normal" looking home and build a dome or other house design that takes advantage of every bit of solar and interior energy.

However, you needn't break the bank OR have an odd-looking home in order to have an energy efficient home. Following are simple, low cost things to look for in energy efficient house plans:

When choosing your appliances and lighting and plumbing fixtures, definitely look at the many options now available for energy efficient versions, too. Consider an on-demand water heater to greatly reduce the energy costs versus a typical hot water heater.

Another Low-Cost, Low-Hassle Strategy: Passive Solar

In addition, an energy efficient home designer can incorporate thoughtful window placement to provide more natural light during the day to reduce the need for electric lighting.

For people in warm climates, energy efficient house plans can adjust the amount of overhang on your roof and soffit. This simple design technique can greatly minimize the daytime heating by the sun, yet not obstruct the pleasant light that the sun provides during the day. Click here for more information on passive solar house plans.

Size Matters!

Learn more about small house plans here.

Our Recommended Energy Efficient Home Design

That's why we highly recommend insulating concrete forms (ICF) to build your exterior walls. The ICF building method has been around for a long time, and is gaining in popularity in these times of high energy costs. Depending on where you live, ICF may cost more to build (typically 1% to 8% more than "stick" building)...however, it may sometimes even cost less than stick building. It definitely pays to shop around when looking for a builder, and get several quotes from experienced ICF builders as well as stick builders.

ICF homes can reduce your heating and cooling bills by 50%. Another added benefit is their resistance to severe weather and fire, which explains why homeowners insurance rates can also be up to 50% cheaper for ICF homes versus stick-built homes.

Energy efficient house plans that use ICF need to reflect the walls' increased thickness over 2x4 or 2x6 wood walls. The photo below shows an ICF home during construction. The foam remains in place, creating a very energy efficient wall structure.

CONTACT US about creating an energy efficient house plan for you.
We're quite affordable!

Want to view existing energy efficient house plans for inspiration?
Following are links to two partner sites that you can search. You can then provide us with a better idea of what you want after looking at other plans for inspiration.

#1: Here's one site where you can view existing energy efficient house plans.

#2: Following is a search box for another site that offers many plans to give you inspiration before you hire us to design a custom plan for you:

Square Footage: Minimum 010001250150017502000225025002750300032503500375040004500500060007500 to Maximum 0 100012501500175020002250250027503000325035003750400045005000600075007500+ Bedrooms: 1 2 3 4 5+ Bathrooms: 1 1½-2 2½-3 3½+

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