Designing a living space is a complicated process, with many factors to consider. Whether you are remodeling or building a new home from scratch there are a lot of options to consider, and design decisions to be made. One of the first decisions you will need to make is the floorplan. One recent trend in interior design is to promote an open floor plan. Aside from aesthetics, the major reason this trend exists is that open floor plans save energy during the winter and summer. If you are interested in learning more about how an open floor plan can make your home more energy efficient, take a look below:
Lighting
One way that an open floor plan concept saves on energy is by providing more natural light to the entire home. During daylight hours the increased natural light in the home will be enough to keep the lights off. Even after sunset, an open floor plan continues to provide benefits to your electricity bill. The open floor concept means that lights in one room can light up other rooms. Overall, having an open floor plan requires less artificial lighting, saving you money on your energy bill.
Heat & Air Conditioning
Another way an open floor plan can lower your utility bill is by promoting better air circulation. Open floor plans allow air to circulate through the house, which can be very beneficial for temperature control. During the winter months, an open floor plan means that heat can travel from room to room. When paired with properly installed energy efficient windows and doors, as well as hardwood floors, an open floor plan will keep your home warmer with less heating necessary. Alternatively, during the summer an open floor plan means that a home can be cooled simply by opening windows and allowing the breeze to circulate.
Less Square Footage
Another benefit of an open floor plan is the fact that homes feel larger with open floors. When comparing two homes with the same square footage, the home with an open floor plan will always feel more spacious. For this reason, smaller homes with open floor plans can actually be more comfortable than larger homes with closed designs. Having a small home with an open floor plan greatly lowers the utility bill. Less square footage on your home means there will be less area to heat/cool or light.
If you are interested in remodeling your home to increase energy efficiency and save money on your utility bill, contact our team of professionals at Ryann Reed. We can help design your home for maximum efficiency without sacrificing comfort. We can be reached over the phone at (215) 372-0040 or by filling out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you with your interior design needs!
