| All modern homes should strive towards an | | | | the lifespan of a building and using a mix of |
| environmentally sustained system because eventually | | | | heavyweight construction materials such as bricks, |
| it means that we take care of the planet we inhabit. | | | | concrete, tiles etc. (higher embodied energy) and |
| Becoming environmentally conscious is advantageous | | | | lightweight materials such as plywood, light gauge |
| to us and when building a new home or buying one, it | | | | steel and fiber cement (lower embodied energy). |
| makes sense to check if the building is really energy | | | | Energy Use in Buildings |
| efficient. Apart from reducing the wastage of scarce | | | | Apart from structural efficiency the basis of an |
| natural resources, the long term economic gains with | | | | energy efficient building is that it should keep its |
| respect to bills and payments will also work to your | | | | occupants warm in winter and cool in summer |
| advantage. | | | | without consuming large quantities of coal and gas, |
| So what makes a building energy efficient? The | | | | which are non-renewable resources. Well designed |
| primary concern is the kind of construction material | | | | buildings conserve energy by using passive heating |
| used from inception to completion of a project, | | | | and cooling techniques. |
| which includes the embodied energy and the life cycle | | | | Passive heating is a method where interiors can be |
| assessment of raw materials. Secondly, the amount | | | | kept warm with a minimum use of electric or gas |
| of energy a building uses in terms of lighting, cooling | | | | heaters. This is done by obtaining heat from sunlight |
| and heating, which are essential for comfortable living, | | | | and warm air outside; using well designed windows |
| all work towards creating a sustainable home. In | | | | with double or triple glazing; insulation; building material |
| terms of energy used, the second will be more | | | | with high thermal mass, which absorbs heat and |
| environmentally damaging simply because it is a | | | | releases it slowly and, most importantly, keeping in |
| recurring phenomenon for the lifespan of the building. | | | | mind building orientation. Similarly, homes can be kept |
| The Construction Material Used | | | | cool using passive cooling, which includes adding |
| Energy efficient buildings use materials with low | | | | shades over windows and growing deciduous trees |
| embodied energy, which is the total energy used for | | | | around structures. |
| production, transportation, construction and | | | | In addition solar water heaters, photovoltaic cells to |
| dismantling of a product. For example, the further the | | | | illuminate the building at night, and subterranean |
| construction material needs to be transported, the | | | | tunnels for circulating cool subterranean air are |
| higher is the embodied energy. Therefore energy | | | | common design features found in energy efficient |
| efficient buildings try and use materials which can be | | | | structures. |
| procured locally or reuse part of old buildings so that | | | | With respect to lighting, specially designed skylights, |
| they reduce the consumption of new materials. | | | | incandescent bulbs and sensors that detect ambient |
| Builders will also have to assess the impact of the | | | | light and turn off artificial illumination automatically, all |
| material they use at its origin. A method to recognize | | | | add up to reduce the ecological footprint of a building. |
| this impact is the life cycle assessment, which | | | | An energy efficient building is a complex system |
| measures the environmental impact of a certain raw | | | | incorporating both traditional and cutting edge |
| material or a whole house with respect to its total | | | | technology. Although more expensive initially, the |
| lifespan. In simple terms, an architect designing an | | | | design philosophy is based on long term savings, both |
| energy efficient building will ask if using a particular | | | | ecological and economic. These buildings are ultimately |
| kind of construction material is adversely affecting or | | | | a part of the larger picture, which covers the |
| destroying a natural system or habitat elsewhere. | | | | important aspect of ecologically sustainable |
| Other simple methods employed are using timber | | | | development. |
| from sustainable forests, minimizing waste, increasing | | | | |