Energy-Efficient Buildings: The First Step in Design for a Better Future
- PV Digital
- Apr 18
- 5 min read
According to the World Economic Forum, energy-efficient structures are the cornerstone of a more environmentally friendly future. By using less energy, they contribute to the fight against global warming, urban heat islands, and rising expenses. It's not as easy as it seems, though.
The advantages of a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient future are discussed more than the actual methods for creating one. Creating buildings with energy-efficient designs is only the first step toward a healthier, greener planet, but it's a significant one.
How do buildings that use less energy operate? What long-term advantages do they provide for the environment and the occupants? Find out by reading through to the end!
The Earth Is Dying
Although it is a bold remark, it is the reality. Did you know that buildings alone account for 33% of greenhouse gas emissions and 40% of worldwide energy consumption?
Without understanding the potential harm to the environment, people celebrated the Industrial Revolution and the discovery of fossil fuels centuries ago.
Over a century later, the world is experiencing the worst effects of global warming as a result of the world's overindulgence in fossil fuels, which manifests as climate change.
Our generation is now responsible for preserving the world, and architects are essential to this effort. Governments and several organizations have started enacting laws to reduce the use of fossil fuels and the warming of the planet.
Although it is a long journey, the 2016 The Paris Agreement to curb global warming is a positive start toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
What Is An Energy-Efficient Building?
Making old buildings energy efficient may be challenging, but designing new buildings with energy efficiency in mind is much simpler.
An energy-efficient structure uses the least amount of energy and resources while offering optimum efficiency and comfort.
Energy-efficient features should not only be present during the operation phase; all energy-efficiency initiatives should cover a building's whole lifecycle, from pre-construction design to construction to operation and demolition.
These structures offer many advantages to both the environment and the users while maintaining complete building functionality and energy efficiency.
Achieving Energy Efficiency In A Building
An optimized combination of all the building's energy sources determines how much energy is used in an energy-efficient structure. These include the use of passive solar design techniques and renewable energy sources. Energy-efficient products must be used if active design strategies—that is, the usage of electrically powered equipment—are to be relied upon.
1. Using Passive Strategies
Rather than using electricity that has been purchased, passive design solutions utilize what is already present in nature. Since passive tactics don't require electricity, we ought to promote their use. Architects can start using passive design techniques to enhance ventilation, lighting, and general comfort by tailoring the design to the environment.
2. Complement with Active Strategies
Architects use active design techniques when passive design solutions are not enough to deliver both comfort and energy economy. Unlike passive techniques, which "actively" need electricity to function, active tactics raise energy consumption.
Active solutions can, however, be both energy-efficient and successful in enhancing comfort and livability with the right planning. HVAC systems are the most often used active method in modern buildings for heating, cooling, and ventilating spaces.
3. Benefits Of Energy-Efficient Buildings
Environmental and social sustainability are enhanced by energy-efficient design. In addition to lowering energy expenses, energy-efficient buildings also improve livability and energy usage.
4. They Provide Better Comfort
Using less electricity and more natural resources is the foundation of energy efficiency. However, the quality of the space is not compromised. Improved ventilation, air quality, and even visibility can make a building or interior area more livable.
5. They Provide Better ROI
Especially for older structures, some people might think it's worthwhile to make their properties energy efficient. The owner would have to pay more for the installation of new equipment, such ventilation and solar panels.
On the other hand, energy-efficient design has a high long-term return on investment. The amount of electricity used is drastically cut, either completely eliminated if it is shown to be unnecessary or replaced by renewable energy sources.
6. They Reduce Harmful Greenhouse Gases Emission
Especially for older structures, some people might think it's worthwhile to make their properties energy efficient. The owner would have to pay more for the installation of new equipment, such ventilation and solar panels.
On the other hand, energy-efficient design has a high long-term return on investment. The amount of electricity used is drastically cut, either completely eliminated if it is shown to be unnecessary or replaced by renewable energy sources.
Features Of Energy Efficient Buildings
By knowing what characteristics buildings should have, it is simple to find the answer to the question of how to make them more energy-efficient. The most typical characteristics of an energy-efficient construction are the following three.
1. The Right Size Of Openings
One of the most crucial steps in making buildings more energy efficient is selecting windows and doors that are the proper size. The expense of heating or cooling an aperture increases with its size.
The room is too small, and active HVAC systems are needlessly used to ventilate it. Keep in mind that heat transfer from these openings—especially windows—occurs constantly. While letting the sun in is favored in colder climates, heat intake through windows can be high and unpleasant in hot and dry locations.
2. Better Insulation
Improving insulation, a more conventional approach, can be a useful first step in increasing a building's energy efficiency. Less heat or cooling loss results from improved insulation.
This can be applied to various areas of the building, but the roof and windows (glass) are the most frequently used. The required cooling load can be decreased by decreasing heat gain by double glazing for windows and adequate roof insulation.
3. Taking Advantage of Digital Solutions
Improving insulation, a more conventional approach, can be a useful first step in increasing a building's energy efficiency. Less heat or cooling loss results from improved insulation.
This can be applied to various areas of the building, but the roof and windows (glass) are the most frequently used. The required cooling load can be decreased by decreasing heat gain by double glazing for windows and adequate roof insulation.
Technology is not limited to these things only. We can now find autonomous systems that regulate heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting using sensors and data analysis.
While they are active strategies that rely on electricity, these systems are considered energy-efficient designs as they reduce any unwanted and unnecessary energy consumption in the building. We can further improve the overall energy efficiency by powering them with solar panels.
Sustainable and ecological materials can also improve energy efficiency.
Why Is Energy Efficiency in A Building Important?
One example of a green building and a necessary step toward sustainable design is energy-efficient architecture or structures. Both architects and occupiers have other concerns besides the costs. Every facet of the economics, environment, and occupants' well-being must be taken into account for a building to be considered really sustainable.
What role do buildings that use less energy play in these categories?
Environment
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Reduced energy consumption
Reduced reliance on high energy resources
Indirectly reducing carbon footprint
Economy
Less overall cost of operation including electricity bills
Less spending during construction
Well-being of occupants
Improved indoor air and spatial qualities
A holistic connection with nature
Conclusion
There are numerous advantages for the environment, users, and owners of energy-efficient buildings. They are a wise investment with a high rate of return on investment. In order to combat rising expenses and global warming, we must now use all available sustainability tools, including energy-efficient architecture.
Stay tuned with PrimaVerse as we share current insights and trends in the engineering industry, including the latest in generative design. Have a project in mind? Contact us today and let’s build a better world together!
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