4 Innovations to Consider When Building a New Home
If you’re in the process of building a new home, it’s undoubtedly an exciting time. Perhaps one of the most exciting prospects of building a new home is the fact that you’ll be able to make a number of fresh upgrades to the home and have it look and feel exactly as you wish on move-in day. However, you may be wondering if there are any specific features that will allow you and other occupants of the home to capitalise on the space and enjoy it fully. From electric instant water heaters to solar panels and upgraded lighting, this article will go over four innovations and upgrades you should consider when building a new home.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are arguably one of the most valuable upgrades you can make to your home that will pay you dividends long after they’re installed. Solar panels are a great way to reduce your energy costs and your carbon footprint. They can be installed on your roof or in your yard, providing your home with clean, renewable energy. Solar panels are also an easy way to increase the sale value of your home if you’re thinking about putting it on the market in the near future.
Geothermal Heating & Cooling
Geothermal systems use the earth’s natural heat to provide heating and cooling for your home. In a similar vein to solar panels, these devices are highly energy efficient and can save you a lot of money on your energy bills. Geothermal systems have a ground loop that transfers heat from the earth into a building in the winter and transfers heat from a building into the earth in the summer. These types of green systems are becoming increasingly popular in homes globally, and their popularity is sure to continue as habits and mindsets shift more towards eco-friendliness and sustainability
Tankless Water Heaters
Electric instant water heaters, also known as tankless water heaters, provide hot water on demand with minimal energy consumption. This type of water heater possesses many benefits over its storage tank counterpart. For instance, as electric instant water heaters lack the bulky tank component that accompanies storage tank heaters, they’re much more versatile and can be placed in different rooms of the home rather than just being relegated to a backyard or other open space where there’s ample room available. Electric instant water heaters are also typically designed to have longer lifespans than their storage tank counterparts, outlasting them in some cases by up to 10 years.
Upgraded Lighting
Upgraded lighting such as LED lighting has been shown to be much more energy efficient than traditional lighting. When combined with the other energy-saving innovations above, you could potentially save a significant amount on your energy bills whilst further reducing your home’s carbon footprint. LED lights in particular typically run at a lower voltage compared to other types of lighting, which makes them a great choice if you live in a flood-prone area, as the lower voltage will protect occupants from potentially fatal shocks.