Creating a new home for your family in Quebec involves considerable planning. With issues like climate change and increasing energy costs in the limelight, it’s important to think beyond the ordinary. If you want to create a “green” home or focus on the elements of sustainability, you should consider new-age ideas. Fortunately, we have magazines and portals, such as Maison Saine, that offer considerable insights into various aspects that need the attention of humanity. One of the key challenges is to choose the right technologies, and while it’s okay to have budget constraints, the eventual goal is to have a futuristic home that’s designed with environmental concerns in consideration. We have enlisted a few technologies and strategies that may come in handy.
- Maximize the use of energy-efficient windows. Large windows are a great way to collect solar power, and you can go a step ahead by investing in energy-efficient designs. These are variants that offer low-emissivity glazing, and you can make the most of the window orientations to utilize natural light. As far as maintenance goes, you don’t spend more than the standard windows.
- Consider insulation levels. Insulation is another aspect that should be your priority for a new home. At the least, you need R-40 insulation for the walls, while we recommend R-10 under the slab. For the roofing, go for R-60, which will help minimize the spending on heating bills.
- Airtightness is also a factor. For the unversed, this refers to the level of air leakage from a building. If you can go for high airtightness, it would mean that less air will leak through your home via the cracks and gaps. Airtightness also directly impacts the output you get from insulation investments.
- Rely on the right materials. Considering the winters in Quebec, you need to store solar overheating, for which you can use materials like concrete, ceramic, and brick. These are dense materials that work perfectly well for rooms that receive more sunlight.
- Watch out for the design. The shape of your home is also a crucial factor. If you have an elongated design, it would mean fewer windows. While contemporary shapes are great to look at, you are also exposing the walls to the weather, which can increase your energy costs when trying to keep the interiors at an optimal temperature.
Finally, reimagine the roofing design. If you have the right angle for your roof slope, you can make the most of solar collectors, which can help generate power. Refer to the internet and top magazines to discover newer tech.
