1. The
Location of the building on the site is the first place that the building can
begin to take on characteristics that will affect the use of energy and thereby
the cost of running the house. The characteristics of Northern versus Southern
light have energy implications, and the building’s relationship to the sun’s
location in the sky can assist in determining and affecting energy costs.
2. The
overall shape of the building. Though not necessarily fitting with the style of
architecture of your neighborhood, there are shapes and forms of buildings that
can accomplish greater energy savings through natural ventilation. We’re not
just talking about opening a bunch of windows. What we are talking about is
creating an overall wind effect through the careful placement and size of
windows and other openings which contribute to the chimney effect of hot air
rising. If enough openings are place at strategic locations, it is possible to
create a house that is naturally ventilated without the cost of even fans. This
method, however, requires a careful degree of study to insure and verify that
the chimney effect is present.
3. Insure
that the Architect uses energy assessment tools in order to determine the
effectiveness of his design decisions. At our firm, we use Building Information
Modeling (BIM) in order to create a 3D model from which energy assessment
calculations can be performed.
4. Placement
of landscaping can decrease energy costs. Deciduous trees placed on the
southern face of the building allow cooling in the summer, by way of shade, and
heating in the winter, by way of the sun shining through the branches of the
trees.
5. Wall
design. The insulation or lack thereof in the walls of the building can provide
a major source of cash savings. But did you know that the savings is not only
related to insulation, but also thermal mass storage? The walls can be used, if
designed properly, as a means of storing heat in the winter if their thermal
mass efficiency is high enough… think ‘concrete’ verses wood. Did the architect specify a reflective coating for the roof sheathing? More money either saved or lost...
6. Infiltration. Typical sources of infiltration (meaning,
unconditioned air getting into the building) are doors and windows, but given
the entirety of the home, if the building is wrapped in a surface like Tyvek,
water and air infiltration is greatly minimized.
By considering these Six money saving ideas, any home owner will be able to reap cash benefits after the construction is finished.
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