Im stuck between two house designs and would like to build one. The problem is im very much into energy efficiency and money savings. The first is a ranch style house and the second is a typical two story rectangular house. My area is very windy and can get very cold. The two story is cheaper to build yet does not have the advantage of having a earth hill formed around three sides of it. I would like opinions about which style you would choose taking into consideration all the ideas of energy efficiency and financial savings. Thanks, countryboy

The simple answer is to take a complete plan of the one and a complete plan of the other to a few plumbing/heating supply companies for estimates as to the total BTU heat loss for each design....then make your total decision from there. (This is normally a free service.)

The point is that NO two homes are ever alike in terms of BTU loss or total energy needed to heat them.

You can take identical plans, build them on different lots, and find them to vary signifcantly in terms of BTU loss based upon nothing other than the lot and location.

That said, a home's BTU loss is determined in part by:

1.amount of exposed exterior wall surface area

2.amount of wall and ceiling insulation

3.existance of slab/crawlspace/full basement/pier construction foundation

4.number of exterior windows and doors

5.type of heat

6.thickness of walls

7.height of ceilings

8...and so forth

You need to assess a FULL BTU assessment for each based upon many criteria before deciding which plan is most "efficient".

One plan may be more "efficient" to construct.....Yet least "efficient" to operate.