House-plan.org is pleased to bring you an ongoing series of articles about residential home building using green technologies, saving energy, and using our precious resources wisely. And the best part is these are all things that can save you money. Stay tuned month after month for more.

Energy prices are skyrocketing and show no signs of slowing. In August of 2005 energy prices shot up by the largest amount in more than two years. Consumers nationwide are expected to spend 34% more for heating oil this winter than last according to the preliminary winter fuel projection by the government's Energy Information Administration. 

So what can you do? When building a new home there are steps you can take to protect your resources and slow your energy consumption in an effort to save money. For new home construction there are ways to build from the ground up that can make your new home more energy efficient right from the start.

You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover:

An energy efficient home doesn't look any different than any other home. The architectural design doesn't need to change in order for a home to be energy efficient. You can take a stock house plan and by carefully choosing your building materials and appliances you will make the home more energy efficient. Here are some key things to keep in mind when building towards energy savings:

- Seal against air leaks: this means tightly sealed doors, windows, and crawl spaces.

- The correct size HVAC system for your home: a unit that is too big will be more expensive to run, and a too-small unit will need to run overtime to "catch up" to the desired temperature setting.

- Insulation: not only in the attic, but in basements, around ducting and in walls.

- Landscaping: choose drought-resistant plants that will hold their own after the first year and require minimal watering. Plants native to your area are excellent choices.

And keep in mind that it doesn't cost any more to build an energy efficient home than it would building any other home. As a matter of fact, it could actually cost less because you'll be saving money every month on your energy bill.

It's What's Inside That Counts:

We've covered the structure of the energy-efficient home, now what about what you put inside? We've all heard about ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, but just what does that mean? ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. 

Appliances that have earned the ENERGY STAR meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the United States Department of Energy. The average household spends over $1,500 per year on energy bills. ENERGY STAR rated appliances could help lower your overall energy consumption and allow you to save as much as 30% a year on your utility bills.

The Final Word:

When you're building a new house you want to build it to last. But why not build it to be energy efficient too? You'll save money in the long run without compromising on quality or aesthetics. Do what you can, where you can, to save energy. Keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer without having it cost you a fortune every month.

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