If you're building a new home, you have the chance to do it right from the start. This makes it easier and cheaper to achieve really big savings—but only if you plan ahead.

If you do it right, an efficient home won't cost any more to build than an ordinary inefficient one, and it may even cost less, because it won't need as much (if any) equipment for space cooling and heating. By downsizing or eliminating air conditioners, furnaces, and the associated ductwork, you can reduce construction costs, often enough to pay any extra costs to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

One recommended technique is to heat and cool a building naturally using passive solar design, high-performance windows, thermal mass, insulation, and air-tight construction. Simply orienting a building to use passive solar gain can save 10–20 percent of heating energy. A whole-system design can save more than 75 percent of heating energy with integrated solar gain, thermal storage, and well-insulated shell components.

Unfortunately, you'll find that most builders and many design professionals are behind the times when it comes to efficient building design. Doing your own research before you start construction allows you to answer their concerns, and provide them with the information they need to do it right the first time. You should certainly read all that you can on making the building efficient, since corners that you cut now will cost you later.