house efficiency

Just for a change , let's talk about a different aspect of property .

I'm going to build a new house ( ppor ) in the next year or two . Nothing too remarkable , 4 bed , 3 bath , north facing , that type of thing .

What I am interested in is making it as efficient as I can within reason . Not interested in compromising living quality i.e. it needs to be easy to use . More interested in types of insulation , installation techniques that sort of thing .

Of course it will be double glazed but I'm having trouble finding a good comparison medium . Each manufacturer will tell you how good their product is but there are really no tests done that I know of to prove these things .

As for asking builders about this stuff , I find they are very short on detail when you get down to it .

I know of people who have ended up with good results and I know of people who have wasted a lot of money on poor advice .

So , anyone got any tips or experiences they'd like to share ? Building materials , techniques , appliances , design etc .