How an Energy Efficient Home Can Help with Rising Costs of Living
Updated: Sep 4
In today's world, where the cost of living is steadily rising, finding ways to save money and live more sustainably is more important than ever. At Backman Builders, we understand the financial pressures Australian families face. An energy efficient home can help Australian families reduce energy consumption, improve comfort and manage the rising cost of living. And we’re not just talking about banging on a solar system!
The Rising Costs of Living in Australia
Australians are feeling the pinch of increased expenses, from groceries to utility bills. With energy prices continuing to rise, households are spending more to maintain minimal living conditions. This is where energy efficiency steps in—not just as a cost-saving measure but as a long-term investment in financial stability and environmental health.
What Makes an Energy Efficient Home?
An energy efficient home is designed to use less energy while maintaining a comfortable, healthy living environment. This starts with the design of the home and can include orientation, shading, insulation, glazing, airtightness, ventilation, heating and cooling systems and energy-efficient appliances.
Lower Energy Bills
An energy efficient home is designed to reduce unnecessary energy use, which can help lower electricity and heating and cooling costs.
Improved Comfort
Features such as good insulation, double-glazed windows, airtight construction and strategically placed ventilation can help maintain more consistent indoor temperatures and healthy indoor air quality throughout the year
Environmental Impact
With energy-efficient homes, you’re not just saving money; you’re also contributing to a
healthier planet. Reduced energy consumption means lower greenhouse gas emissions, helping combat climate change. You might not find us strapped to a tree, but we damn well want to create a better world for our kids and grandkids to inherit.
Building Energy Efficient Homes with Backman Builders
At Backman Builders, we’re striving alongside a growing community of building professionals to create homes that are as efficient as they are beautiful. From better building practices along with sustainable building materials, we ensure our homes meet the highest energy efficiency standards.
Our innovative approaches include:
Passivhaus certified tradesmen with acquired knowledge through greater education.
High-performance building practices including airtight construction and effective insulation systems to minimise heat transfer and thermal bridging.
Energy-efficient heating, cooling and appliances, including heat pumps and split systems.
Passive solar designs that maximises natural light and helps create comfortable conditions throughout the seasons.
Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency in Your Home
Even if you’re not building a new home, there are plenty of ways to make your current living space more energy-efficient:
ACTIONS | DESCRIPTION |
Seal air leaks | Use weather seals and caulking to close gaps around gaps, windows and doors. |
Upgrade lighting | Switch to LED, which consumes far less electricity than traditional incandescent lights. |
Install a programmable thermostat | Optimise heating and cooling based on your schedule. |
Increase or introduce insulation | Have an insulation specialist inspect your home with a thermal heat camera. |
Use energy-efficient appliances: | Look for appliances with high energy star ratings. |
Let Backman Builders Help You Save
Investing in an energy-efficient home is an investment in your future. Not only will you enjoy lower utility bills and a more comfortable living environment, but you’ll also play a part in creating a more sustainable world.
Ready to build or upgrade to an energy-efficient home? Contact Backman Builders today to learn more about how we can help you save money and still build your dream lifestyle home.
You will also find a great display of retrofitting a standard built Australian home with our Red Brick Reno YouTube series. This home is now a high performing machine featured in Sanctuary Magazine, The Design Files and more.
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Fantastic read! It’s great to see practical advice paired with a genuine commitment to sustainability. Excited to take some of these steps myself!
This was such an informative read! I had no idea that small changes like sealing air leaks or upgrading to double-glazed windows could make such a huge difference. The Red Brick Reno example is amazing—what an inspiration!