Consuming Less Power by Design

Decisions to enhance energy efficiency are based on a variety of reasons. In new construction, mandatory energy codes play a decisive role by mandating certain choices. However, financial considerations ultimately determine which most cost-effective options with optimal life-cycle benefits can be purchased. There are numerous measures that can be implemented during the initial design process and after construction, to decrease energy consumption. These measures include passive approaches like enhancing insulation and designing a tight building envelope. Additionally, we can specify more energy-efficient doors, windows, and skylights, which usually serve as weak points in the building envelope. During the design stages, choices can be made regarding the placement of buildings on the site to strategically allow or prevent solar heat gain, facilitate or restrict natural ventilation, and optimize or minimize shade, depending on the requirements of different seasons. Once passive methods to minimize energy use have been implemented, more energy efficiency can be achieved by installing active technologies to recover energy or generate power for internal consumption or storage. Regardless of underlying motivations, this course discusses choices and techniques to protect and preserve energy. Such actions invariably lead to better safeguarding of our precious natural resources.