energy efficient house design

[johnnyg]

I'm trying to design the best way of building my house from a low energy point of view. My plan is to double the insulation by increasing the cavity space from 4 to 6 inches and increase attic insulation from 9 to 12 inches, I plan to have all the walls upstairs and downstairs block and have a concrete 1st floor (Ducon) aswell. All the rads will have thermostats and will have zoned heating, will use a condenser burner. the windows are going to have K glass (munster joinery)

Can anyone suggest any better ideas/vendors?

 

[Sarsfield]

Try for passive solar if possible. Have larger South facing windows to pick up the sun and smaller North facing windows.

Go for the standard rectangular shape. Maximum internal area for the minimum exposed wall area. Orient the house with a long South facing wall to maximise the benefit of direct sunlight.

 

[Johnny Boy]

Plan to have boiler close to or part of the structure of the house as not to lose heat in the pipes when travelling long distance from the boiler to your house