Week 11 - Energy

1.2. Low Energy Living

Perhaps the best way to deisgn for low energy living is to plan to minimise energy requirements.  This stage starts with designing intelligently according to location and climate.  Locating the long side of a property towards the sun (whilst providing shading to block only the full summer sun) can save up to 40% of energy compared to the same building turned by 90%.

Attention to external walls, roof and windows, including optimal sealing, insulation and radiant barriers can greatly reduce energy requirements.  The inclusion of heat recovery ventilation will add to this energy recovery.

Image courtesy of hvacsupplies.co.nz

The prevention of unwanted heat transfer into or out of a building may be approached by examining the three methods by which heat may move: radiation, convection and conduction.