What Does Energy Efficiency Mean?

The process of energy efficiency involves minimizing the amount of energy used to power products and perform services. This can also mean using less energy to produce the same result or using the same amount of energy to increase productivity.

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Energy-efficient buildings use less energy to heat, cool, and operate appliances by using a combination of weatherization strategies, building practices, renewable energy systems, high-quality insulation, and smart technology.

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Why Is Energy Efficiency Important?

An energy-efficient home reduces your reliance on outside sources for power and decreases the amount of energy required to run your home. By incorporating practices that increase your home’s self-reliance, you also protect yourself from surge pricing and significantly reduce your energy bills. Energy-independent solutions also reduce your carbon footprint and protect Big Sky’s forests, water bodies, and wildlife habitats by shifting our burden on the environment.

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Energy Efficiency First, Then Electrification

Start with an energy audit, like NorthWestern Energy’s HomeCheck. This tool will help you identify drafty, hot, or cold spots, and any moisture issues in your home. Address these problems first before moving on to home electrification. Passively designed homes refer to construction standards that prioritize air sealing and insulation to maximize comfort and minimize energy use.

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Prioritize Your Needs

Your goals should determine the sequence of upgrades. When retrofitting, first focus on replacing outdated items, air sealing, duct sealing, and enhancing insulation in easy-to-access areas such as an attic or crawl space so that appliances can operate efficiently.

top 3 steps:

• ‍Air Sealing: Properly seal air ducts to prevent leaks and improve system efficiency. Check windows and doors for drafts using weather stripping and sealant to minimize air leaks.‍

• Insulation: Properly insulate your home to maintain temperature and reduce energy usage.
• Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV): Install an HRV to improve indoor air quality, improve temperature control, and reduce the load on your HVAC system.

Home Efficiency and Comfort

Did you know that energy-efficient homes maintain consistent temperatures better than conventional homes and have better air quality? With high-quality insulation and windows and efficient temperature regulation systems, there are fewer drafts, and less air is lost to external elements. These homes typically have improved ventilation, which allows for cleaner air and decreased respiratory agitation.

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Components of Energy Efficiency

• Building Envelope
• Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems 
• Lighting
• Appliances
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Smart Technology
• Energy Management 
• Energy Saving Habits 
• Building Design and Retrofits

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Capitalizing on Free Energy for New Builds

If you’re building a home, one of the best ways to keep your utility bills low is to capitalize on free energy from the sun and incorporate materials with a high thermal mass so that your home absorbs sunlight during the day and slowly releases the heat at night. Materials with a high thermal mass have an increased capacity to store, absorb, and release heat. This helps to keep your costs low by passively maintaining temperature in your home.  

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Home Orientation

Orient your home to to capitalize on the sun’s free energy. Use materials with a high thermal mass so that your home captures heat from the sun during the day and gradually releases it at night. 

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The building’s primary orientation should be within 30° of true south. Orient the house east to west to ensure the long side of your home faces the sun. East-facing houses will benefit from the morning sun, while those facing the west will catch the late afternoon sun, which will help delay the evening heating period.

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South-facing slope locations will optimize solar access and minimize overshadowing from adjacent buildings or topography. Neighboring structures or landscapes to the east and west can also provide protection from low sun angles.

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Design to optimize the building’s thermal mass and minimize its surface-to-volume area so that your home stores heat and provides inertia against temperature fluctuations.

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Present a narrow frontage to the prevailing wind, which typically comes from the southwest in Big Sky, to minimize wind chill in the winter and get a cool breeze in the summer.

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External Environment

The external environment can sometimes obstruct your home’s solar visibility which will impact the amount of heat it can absorb. 

Optimize solar gain in the winter by ensuring that south-facing windows are not blocked between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. This will maximize the amount of heat your home can absorb.

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Create Summer Shading
Plant deciduous trees to optimize summer shading while allowing the sun to penetrate at low winter angles. Ensure that plant density does not limit daylight.

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Renewable Energy Options

Consider renewable energy solutions like solar panels and geothermal energy to increase your home’s efficiency.

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Smart Home Technology

Consider integrating smart home systems to optimize energy use and create a more comfortable, energy-independent home. 

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Energy Saving Behaviors

Adopt habits that decrease energy use by turning off appliances and devices that aren’t in use to decrease utility bills and energy reliance. Check out our Idle Home Checklist to see ways you can protect your home and save money while you’re gone.

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Want to Learn More?

For more information on the importance of household orientation, Phius is a great resource—particularly for multifamily buildings. It provides detailed guidance on designing safe, resilient, comfortable, and—most importantly—energy-efficient structures.

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