• Energy-efficient homes save the residents money.building detail image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  When building a home, there are strategies available that will help you save money by conserving energy, whether for heating and cooling or for lighting. The website Energy Savers provides a number of methods to employ before, during and after the home is built. The less energy you use, the more money you keep in your pocket.
  
  

Lighting

• When building a home, take advantage of efficient lighting methods. Artificial light in a household makes up approximately 15 percent of the electricity used. and it's possible to cut that requirement in half or more. One idea is to install automatic or motion lights in each room, which turn off when the room is unoccupied. Another tip is to install skylights and energy-efficient windows to reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day.
  
  

Insulation

• Insulation and air sealing are very important energy-conservation strategies when building a home. Maintaining a balance between ventilation, moisture control, insulation and air sealing will help make a home energy-efficient. Air sealing ensures that heating and cooling remain effective in spite of extreme outside air temperatures.
  
  

Trees and Shrubs

• The way the landscape is designed around your home can reduce the cost of heating and cooling, in addition to the aesthetic benefits. Depending on your location and the climate in your area, planting trees or shrubs to create shading can help cool the home during hot months. Trees and shrubbery can also help cut heating costs in winter by blocking the wind.