You might be familiar with the idea of appliances having energy efficiency ratings from one to five stars. But did you know that houses carry energy efficiency ratings as well?

Houses are now being cleverly designed to take advantage of nature's own heating and cooling powers, making homes more comfortable naturally while saving on energy costs.

Many regions specify minimum standards for the energy efficiency of new houses. But by incorporating some design ideas into your housing plan, new home builders can make your home more efficient still.

Not all the following ideas may be practical, but a discussion with your new home builder will help you make the best choices.

Making Your New Home Energy Efficient

Passive heating is using the warming power of the sun to heat your home, but you want also to avoid the afternoon sun baking your home. To achieve this, the most lived in rooms of the house should be situated along the north facade of the building. For example, the kitchen, lounge and living areas. If children's bedrooms are in constant use, they too may be best on the north side of the house.

Purely functional rooms that are used less frequently are best situated to the west or south-west. As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, these rooms will block blazing afternoon sun, and also block cold westerly winds typical of some regions.

Depending on where you live, however, cool winds flowing from the east and the south-east can offer a welcome respite from a blazing hot day. So in that case, your house design should take advantage of this natural cooling system, and be constructed to allow it to flow throughout the house.

Another way to take advantage of the weather and surroundings is to construct detached outlying buildings such as garages, on the east or west sides so fencing in a north facing courtyard space, which can channel cooling breezes towards the living areas of the house.

Weather Proofing Your New Home For Different Seasons

Depending on the season, you might either want to allow the sunlight into your home or to block it out. A smart, energy efficient house plan will take account of window placement, as well as using eaves and window awnings to control the natural temperature of your home.

Other features of the design which affect house temperature are ventilation and insulation, as well as the materials used in the house for flooring etc.

New home builders will be familiar with how to best harness the warmth of the sun, and how to protect your home from winter chills. So when discussing your house plans with your builder, don't forget to consider its energy efficiency. You might not be able to incorporate all these ideas, but by implementing some of them, you will reduce energy use, save money and help the environment as well.