Energy-Efficient Building Systems - Term Paper Example

Name: Institution: Course: Date: THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT BUILDING Introduction The energy-efficient building is a construction that has all the required features in the right proportion. The features include the lighting system, air movement which includes proper ventilation, siding, and solar access as well as usage of smart energy designs. These features reduce the loss of energy from the building as well as having the building at the right position in relation to the natural calamities which include rains, earthquakes and hot sun rays reaching the site. Good choice of the appropriate lighting and heating sources in a building is a key factor in the project. The choice is determined by the type of raw material used in the construction, the use of the respective room as well as the climatic conditions in the geographical position of research. As a result, during designing and siting a house, efficient cooking, heating and lighting appliances have their life cycle well assessed. Their impacts on the ecosystem are viewed in regards to the type of construction as well as the materials used in the building. The structure of the building should have materials that absorb heat to the internal part of the room. Therefore one should make choices on the appropriate measures that should be implemented in the construction process. The raw materials used should be economical as well as of good quality. Besides, to save on the environment, the non-renewable sources of heat are necessary as a way of saving on cost that would be charged with the energy that is used for their maintenance and for their servicing. Use of natural heating sources and energy sources is the successful method each and every person wants to have. In the discussion, the lighting, heating among others are deeply discussed. Landscape In the choice of a construction site, the land is assessed where the landscape is determined whether of importance in the mission of regulating heat. It is the cheapest way of improving the efficiency of the building’s energy. Therefore, it enhances the appearance of an environment as well as increasing the security and privacy of a building alongside improving the property’s value. As recorded by Jayamaha, the use of plants around the construction is a natural and easy to maintain the way of maintaining the energy as well as cooling the area. Besides, the trees are a source of shade to the homeland as it holds the harsh weather conditions in the lands. Therefore, as a result of the favorable conditions brought about by the trees, the building's comfort is improved from both outsides as well as its' inside. Short trees and the shrubs are used to reduce the heat from the sun rays from reaching the grounds. The initiative reduces the reflection if heat from the soil back to the construction. Therefore, they are placed around the construction as a way of deflecting strong winds as well as a way of reducing the heating thus bringing a cooling effect. During landscaping, the objective is to keep the building cool at modified temperatures in and around it (Jayamaha, 2007, pp. 114). The shade provided by the trees to the roof as well as the ground reduces the temperatures at a large percentage in the indoors. Replacement of paving’s with the use of lawns and ground cover too helps reduce the external temperatures. Also, allowance of sun penetration to the inside through the windows is a way of saving on the substantial amount of heat in form of energy. In the process of landscaping, integration is taken into consideration in relation to the design on board. Many times the landscaping is determined and viewed after the completion of the building. Therefore in the designing process of a building and determination of the conditions of a site, the design of the landscape is widely featured. As a result, a great picture is portrayed as the opportunities of the landscaping benefits are maximized to the home and its occupants. Besides, in landscaping the microclimate analysis are taken into consideration as well as the analysis of the site. These analyses provide information that is necessary in assisting the designers in the decision-making of the decision concerning the best place for the site to be placed. In the analysis, several factors are put into account whereby one has to feature the size of the site, the topography, the climatic conditions as well as the drainage of the soils. The temperatures, wing as well as the humidity in the site are also considered. Besides the relationship between the patterns of shade and the sun during winter and summer, the existing special feature and vegetations, as well as the access by the pedestrians and the vehicular to the site, add up to the features to consider as explained by Jayamaha. There are various ways one can ensure the rate of wind control is to the maximum. During different phases of climate, the wind is needed differently. When the sun is hot, the wind is required most to cool the environment while during the rainy and the breezy times wind is least beaded? Therefore, during the designing process of the effective energy saving construction designs, the approach of having winds controlled is considered. When the windbreakers are located at 90 degrees angle from the wind blow, there if effective control over it. Utilization of earth mounds is also another way of deflecting the wind. Use of favorable wind control measures also allows entry of necessary winds to the compound in the summer season. Therefore the low ponds and scrubs adversely help in the cooling of the summer winds. On the same concept, the reach of the heat from the sun is also regulated. The trees planted prevent reach of hot sun rays to the ground, thus only its’ warmth reaches the building’s occupants. It offers favorable living conditions or the individuals. And as the trees reduce sunray y penetration, it also prevents extreme wind blows to the construction which can bring about destruction. During the dry seasons, the trees shed their leaves; therefore the sun rays are hot to the occupants. As a control measure, the plantations allow the breeze through them which cools the hot temperatures from the rays. Again, during construction, one should consider the position of the sun over the phases of the sun which include summer and winter among others. This will help one choose the best landscape, lay down the best design of construction as well as the appropriate roofing style to curb the issue. Benefits of energy smart housing. In designing smart energy, are found to be warmer during the winter r period and cooler at summer. Therefore, the occupants’ of the area find life more comfortable in the area. It also enables sustainable savings being made as a way of reducing the cost for cooling, lighting the building as well as heating a place. Therefore, the smart energy designing can also be compared with efficient design of solar or the passive solar. It is used to minimize the excessive use of the renewable energy which includes charcoal, natural gas, and oil as well. Several facts are used in the determination of the overall saving of energy. It is recorded in a documentary by Jayamaha in 2007 pp. 114. 1. Correct selection and installation of devices of energy smart and appliances. When one makes a good selection of the appropriate sources of heat, the results brings about comfort to the individuals. Therefore, as energy is a necessity in the days’ life, the best quality cooling devices are needed for the best results. Also, wise decisions are necessary for the selection of the heating devices which are not the health hazard to the human species, as the device should not be complex to use. The maintenance cost of the devices should be cheap and affordable I comparison tot the available renewable resources. Besides, the lighting devices add up to the category of the key energy items. It is appreciable to have good quality, long lasting devices which offer a number of services to the humans. 2. Energy smart house design. Several activities are to be implemented in the designing of smart house’ energy. The activities include proper siting of the construction, the right size, and orientation of the windows as well as correct insulation levels. Also, the rightful ways of ventilation and draught proofing alongside the incorporation of thermal mass incorporation. When a room has efficient light from the natural sources saves on cost that could be incurred on the artificial lighting methods. 3. The responsible and responsive behavior of the user. The behavioral practice of the user determines the measures to be made over standardizing the environment. If the user switches of the appliances when not in use helps curb the unnecessary use of energy. Also, when heating room, the curtains need to be closed to minimize energy loss, closure of the doors and the windows after heating a room also reduces heat loss. In addition, use of the appropriate settings in thermostats for cooling and heating rooms as well as refrigerators are necessary. The energy smart designs have helped save on the cost to the users when they take the respective measures to get the best quality product. Also, the constructors and the designers also get their respective organizations advertised more where from the ideal products many clients develop a desire for the same thus leading to employment. It is a step to the comfort living style. The user has his/he cost reduced after the implementation of the extinct activities. Lighting, servicing, and appliances In consideration of appliances, installation of sufficient energy services is turning opt to be a vital activity. It is as a result of the difficulties thereby on saving energy to maximum. The lighting. (Jayamaha,2007, pp. 115) In the selection of the lighting or the servicing in a building, one must ensure that the anticipated needs in a household are met by the servicing and appliances capacity. Selection of the efficient appliances and servicing has to be done where the air conditioners, freezers, refrigerators, ovens as well as the water servicing and ducted heaters have their alternatives sought. The initiative greatly results to less finance being used over energy as well as excessive energy loss. The impact of the devices on the greenhouse effect is amongst the primary factors to consider. Individuals are responsible for the efficiency of the energy. Agan, in the selection of the appliances and the services, consideration should be done on whether the method is inflexible or complex. It better be simple and flexible to handle. Besides, in the selection of substitutes to the device, consideration of the initial cost should be done as well as the ongoing cost that is running over the apliances' lifecycle. On the process of making choices and selecting the appropriate energy source, one should consider whether the raw materials are readily available and at an affordable price. Thermal mass lighting Thermal mass generally gives the concept of the building's material to absorb heat. (Jayamaha, 2007, pp. 115) A material to have thermal mass FOR, it must be having qualities that allow it to absorb heat and store it. Some of the raw materials known for having the high capacity to absorb heat include the concrete that is used in the making of slab on the ground as well as the bricks that are insulated and are used in the wall cavities. When the heavy materials are used together with these absorbing materials, the walls become more energy absorbent. The importance of thermal mass is that it provides some comfort to the individuals The thermal mass is a seasonal thing, in the summer season; the thermal heat is highly absorbed. It then penetrates into the house. The initial temperatures of thermal mass slower than the surrounding act and air thus the heat that had been found is. As a result of the thermal mass, the heat is always absorbed in the daytime while at night the heat disappears. The released air passes through a cool breeze and then extracted by the exhausting fans and at times is released into the room again. At the night hours, the temperatures are found to be high. During the winter seasons, the heat from the sun is absorbed by the walls and the floors in the thermal mass. Therefore, at night heat is release of the room gradually thus the temperature level reduces. As a result, the occupants tend to receive a comfortable temperature for a range of sometimes. In areas that have a large difference between the minimum temperatures at night and maximum temperatures during the day time, the thermally mass is said to be most effective. The thermal mass in a room should be insulated in the external temperatures for maximum effectiveness. Conclusion For one to effectively install the energy efficient housing, proper preparation on the finance to used should be made. Prior planning is important since the most successful ways of making a house ha efficient energy take long to be implemented. For instance, the tree plantation and shrubs may take several years to reach a level of achieving the mission behind them. It is due to the fact that trees and plantations take long to grow and mature as well. As recorded by Jayamaha, conservation of the environment should be a factor to consider in the energy provision of efficient energy in the house, Reference Jayamaha, D.L., 2007. Energy-efficient building systems (pp. 114-116). Mcgraw-hill Publishing Company. Read More