Advanced Features Planning: Advanced features planning involves taking the sun into account to incorporate free winter heating energy provided through passive solar features. There are many software programs available that determine the sun angles for your geographic location so that the building allows the winter sun to come deep into the structure while blocking the summer sun through proper shading.

Taking advantage of all the efficiency and solar features that can be designed into a residence is called ‘Intelligent Design’. The strategic placement of windows provides a well-lit home during the day without needing lights. The level of lighting can be controlled by smart technology using home automation. The advent of wireless technologies makes the addition of smart products easy, and a home or business can have a comfortable and inviting environment.

Check into using radiant floor heat as your primary heating system as opposed to using heated air. Radiant floor heating can be comprised of a piping system or configuration that can be heated by a boiler, a water heater, or a liquid/thermal solar energy system. It is also possible to use low voltage electricity to heat wires embedded in the floor and this can easily be powered by a solar electric system, aka: Photovoltaic solar system.

If it is important to you, you may also want to take advantage of the principles of Feng Shui. The GBDKit can lead you though all these advanced features planning topics.