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Home Designs
Home Design Plans
Home design plans is the next step after you have made the preparation and created the wish list.
If you are working with the home designer then make sure that you do not ignore his/hers expert opinion in your home design plans.
Generally, the north side of the house is warmest in winter with moderate sun during summer.
This section in your home design plans should be dedicated to rooms with highest living frequency (lunchroom or master bedroom).
West and sometimes east part of the house should be should be dedicated to bathrooms and laundries in your home design plans.
Hot summer sun is strongest there and unwelcome to living areas.
The southern side is the coldest.
Energy efficient homes should use this section in the home design plans as a summer retreat.
Do not build more than you need! It is easy to be carried away (extra 10K can result in $80 per month for 25 year loan).
Home Design Plans for Green and Energy Efficient Homes
Government in Australia strongly encourages green home design.
Any feature in your home design plans which creates energy efficient homes is and will be subsidised by authorities.
There is a new term in the financial sector - green mortgage. These loans offer lower interest rates based on the energy savings from changes you make towards your house.
There are number of factors in your home design plans to qualify for green mortgages including:
- solar panels,
- water tanks,
- efficient lighting,
- efficient insulation.
It is important to note that the passive insulation and lighting in home design plans is the feature which brings real benefits. In this case both the subsidies and the lower bills will reward you with clever home design ideas. Therefore, try to design your home for needed space, savings and only then for aesthetics.
Home Design Plans and Landscape Design
Home design plans with clever landscape design should help to create energy efficient home.
Unfortunately, we plant what we like and not what is good for us.
If "Missis" will make some concessions then implement synthetic grass for your home.
Alternatively, river stones and rockery with drought resistant native flora should predominate your garden.
Tall trees should cover western side of your house. Moisture hungry vegetables and flowers could be placed in the south.
You must design your home within the surrounding landscape for comfort and efficiency.
If you build a modular home or kit home then the possibilities with landscape design are even greater.