Achieving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Achieving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

• Setting up energy policy, educating staff, and conducting walk-round listings and exhibitions are steps to achieve energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

Energy Efficiency in Building Design

• Optimum bioclimatic design involves considering insulation, air tightness, ventilation, equipment, and renewable energy sources to enhance energy efficiency.

Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ)

• IEQ is related to human comfort, encompassing four types: visual, acoustic, indoor air quality (IAQ), and thermal comfort.
• Visual comfort requires proper lighting, considering light intensity, color temperature, and glare.
• Acoustic comfort involves minimizing noise produced by transportation and rotating equipment, with recommended sound levels being 55 dB for residential areas and 40-45 dB for offices.
• IAQ comfort involves meeting standards and regulations, with base figures not exceeding 25µg/m3 for PM, 25 ppm for 8-hour CO emission, and 5,000 ppm for 24/7 building CO2 emission.
• Thermal comfort involves considering factors like humidity, air spread, radiation, air temperature, and type of clothing, with the goal of achieving neutral living conditions.

Design Features for Energy Efficiency

• Energy-efficient design features include:
  • Windows sizing, placement, and specification
  • Insulation, amount, and placement in roofs
  • Cooling equipment efficiency
  • Demand control ventilation through CO2 sensors or occupancy sensors
  • Variable Air Volume (VAV)
  • Duct insulation and airtightness
  • High-efficiency motors
  • Occupancy sensor control of lighting and HVAC systems through Building Automation Systems (BAS)
  • Optimal start/stop for HVAC systems
  • Cooling equipment optimization and lighting power density

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)

• LEED is a certification that incorporates various codes and standards, requiring considerations such as:
  • Integrative processes
  • Location and transportation
  • Sustainable sites
  • Water efficiency
  • IAQ, daylight optimization, glare control, and local material selection

Design Modeling Cycles

• Cycle 1 (Simple Box Modeling): Orientation-neutral model, defining design characteristics that impact building performance, including site conditions, massing, building envelope, lighting, thermal comfort, plug and process loads, and program and operational parameters.
• Cycle 2 (Conceptual Design Modeling): Analyzing and refining architectural forms to fine-tune building performance, including orientation, natural or mixed mode ventilation, passive solar heating, and daylighting.
• Cycle 3 (Load Reduction Modeling): Reducing heating and cooling loads to enhance Return on Investment (ROI), including strategies like building envelope, lighting, internal equipment loads, outside air, and passive conditioning.
• Cycle 4 (HVAC System Selection Modeling): Evaluating annual energy demand impacts of various system options and their resulting impact on building operating expenses.

Energy Auditing

• Energy auditing progresses through several levels, including:
  • Basic level: Comparing references, conducting feasibility studies, and analyzing previous data.
  • First level: Selecting specific groups of processes for energy conservation efforts.
  • Second level: Conducting a comprehensive and detailed study of energy use and consumption.
  • Third level: Conducting an economical and capital analysis to measure the ROI, ensuring energy efficiency measures are financially viable.