If you’re building a new home, you have the opportunity to build it with energy efficiency in mind. Energy smart choices will save you time and money in the long run.

Tips for building an energy efficient home:

1. Work with a contractor who has built low-energy homes in the past
2. Use Energy-Star rated appliances, windows, and insulation.
3. Super insulate your attic and sealing ducts
4. If you’re going solar, consider an electric stove and/or water heater
5. Select highly insulated windows and doors
6. Use large south facing windows to bring heat into your home during the wintertime (and cover with shades to cool in the summertime)
7. Install energy efficient lighting
8. Power your home with the sun!

Planning for Solar:

• Identify local requirements: Some homeowners associations, historic preservation districts and communities have special solar zoning requirements. Get up to speed by researching local zoning rules and regulations.

Designing for Solar

• Position your home with solar in mind: If you want to power your home with solar, the most important thing to consider is positioning. A south-facing roof is ideal for solar panels to capture the most sun. On average, east and west rooftops capture a little less of the suns energy.
• Roof angle: A roof pitched between 30 and 45 degrees is ideal for solar in Ohio.
• Roof truss: spacing of 4 feet or less.
• Roof Material: We can mount panels most cost-effectively, with no roof penetrations, on Standing Seam Metal.
• Conduit run: of 250 feet or less for solar electric lines.
• Built-in metal conduit: from the attic to a location near the electrical service panel— typically 1-inch conduit.
• Large service disconnect: as a point of connection for solar.
• Minimize roof obstructions: Keep solar panels in mind when designing where to put vents and other roof attachments, like dormers and chimneys.
• Load Bearing of the roof: Make sure that your roof will be able to bear the additional weight of a solar energy system.
• Consider landscaping: For solar to work well, sunlight needs direct access to your roof. Think about the placement of your home in relation to trees and other landscaping that could cast shadows on your solar arrays.
• Don’t install a utility meterbase disconnect.

Work with your solar installer from the beginning.

Once you’ve decided to include solar in the plan for your new home, give us a call. We’ve worked with many people who are building a new homes and are interested in installing solar. We know all the tricks. We’ll even create a plan with your contractor. Kokosing Solar offers zero down to homeowners, which means you don’t have to bear the brunt of high upfront costs. You start saving money from day one.

Our Portfolio

We have worked on many energy-efficient homes in Ohio. Last year we installed solar panels on a home in Cincinnati, Ohio, that achieved LEED Platinum certification. This residence is equipped with solar panels and geothermal. Learn more about LEED accreditation here. Kokosing Solar is a proud member of the US Green Building Council, the accreditation body for LEED certification.