Open floor plans are the latest trend in modern day custom homes. Basically, it refers to the elimination of barriers such as walls and doors in areas such as the kitchen, living room and dining room.
Here are some of the ways that open floor plans can affect energy efficiency:
Increase views and natural light
Removing interior walls allows sunlight from windows to shine throughout the house. This can help you reduce the usage of electricity during daytime, as sunlight would be sufficient to light up the room. When you have more natural light in a place, you won’t have to rely on electric lights and hence your electricity bills will go down.
Increase air circulation
When you chose an open floor plan, there can be an adequate flow of air to all areas of the house. This will automatically reduce the usage of air-conditioners and cooling systems. An open floor plan provides greater ventilation for all rooms and is important for an energy efficient home.
It's easier to clean
The very thought of having to clean all rooms, bathrooms and open spaces is horrific and it also consumes a lot of physical and electrical energy along with time. This can be solved if you switch to an open floor plan, which implies having everything on display and segregating activities might not be difficult. This will consume less time and energy.
Your dream
In addition, an open floor plan makes your home feel larger, even if the square footage is modest. Open floor plans allow this multi-functional lifestyle, where each room can have a variety of uses. By eliminating doorways and widening the passages to dining and living areas, you obtain a sense of spaciousness.