week 6_classmate posts
Post 1:
Water/Energy Efficiency
Describe the rational for constructing a new building to be water and energy efficient?
Construction industry is one of the critical industry when it comes to green energy. Environmental sustainability of any building depends on the rationale used to ensure that it is water and energy efficient. The reasoning behind water and energy efficient construction is based on use of design, materials, and techniques that are environmental friendly, support recycling, and can utilize natural sources of energy and water. Green building techniques are probably the most used and effective approaches towards attaining energy and water conservation. Solar energy is a good example of energy efficient technique. The construction designs are done to incorporate solar systems which are used to utilize natural source of energy to different components of the building, such as solar water heating or lighting. Water preservation, collection and treatment systems are also intertwined at the stage of construction design. The rationale of using recycled water is to reduce on the costs of sourcing water as well as ensure that the building has a consistent, affordable and reliable water supply.
Can this rationale be applied to an existing building and if so how?
The rationale of green building technology and techniques in designing has been applied in several modern building projects. Many modern buildings are using the LEED standards, a good example being the green building codes that have been used in most of the recent construction projects in Dubai. The rationale involves installation of waste water recycling plants, lighting using solar and wind powered turbines, and energy saving bulbs. The rationale can also be used to an existing building, especially where the energy is sourced from fossil fuels, the buildings can install solar water heating systems, biogas plants, and water treatment systems. These techniques have an enormous and positive impact on water and energy efficiency, they help in preserving energy and lowering the costs of water and energy.
Post 2:
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1. Describe the rational for constructing a new building to be water and energy efficient?
New buildings should be energy efficient, since energy is derived from primarily nonrenewable energy sources, and the amount of energy is limited, nor can it be replaced as fast as it is used. In order to preserve these sources for future generations to use, we must reduce our consumption of it depend on alternative energy efficient sources. LEED v4 focuses on energy and offers new solutions for building operational performances. Buildings should also be water efficient because less than 1% of the earth’s water is available for human consumption, and of that, 14% is used by buildings. The rest of the earth’s water is either salt water or in accessible for use. Due to those reasons listed above, constructing new buildings that are water and energy efficient is very important in protecting the earth’s environment.
1. Can this rationale be applied to an existing building and if so how?
Retrofitting existing buildings and designing them by incorporating sustainable systems to create more water and energy efficient buildings is possible, and even preferred over constructing new buildings. There are several methods that can be applied to existing buildings but determining the building conditions and existing operating systems should be the first step, before considering replacing systems with higher efficiency equipment. Then determining if the existing building is metered and reviewing the utility bills from previous years to see if energy consumption has increased or decreased. Then checking the building’s envelope to see if there is any air leakage. After those steps, systems and equipment can be upgraded as necessary.
References:
1. Holmes, S. (October 2017). How LEED Saves Energy. Retrieved from: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/how-leed-saves-energy
2. Holmes, S. (August 2017). Water Strategies in LEED v4. Retrieved from: https://www.usgbc.org/articles/water-strategies-leed-v4
3. Paradis, R. (August 2016). Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance. Retrieved from: https://www.wbdg.org/resources/retrofitting-existing-buildings-improve-sustainability-and-energy-performance
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Post 3
Rational Rationale
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1. The term efficiency should not be a new topic to anyone in the design industry, or generally, any business practice. To be able to gain the maximum level of production with the least amount of resources is a desirable concept in every practice and critically relevant in building design. Not only is this important but it is an imperative mandate in regards to water in typical design as "new and existing water resources are becoming increasingly scarce in a number of regions throughout the country" (wbdg.org). Approaches to new construction are constantly updating but they all have the same goal of ensuring the whole building/space is treated, as opposed to adding strategies post-design. (energy.gov) Any and all efforts should be applied to new buildings to be fully integrated into reducing its water consumption by successful efficient strategies (wbdg.org)
2. While it may seem easier to introduce a brand new design into the world, architects must be able to evaluate holistic costs and implications to ensure existing buildings also have the best possible attributes in terms of sustainability. It typically is seen as updating the building with better materials is the easiest options because materials are easier to assess and maintain than introducing new systematic strategies. However, there are more options that allow buildings to reduce their carbon footprint, such as using less water in plumbing fixtures and using sytems of gray water in plant beds. Overall the rational is it is imperative that we reduce the amount of energy usage and water consumption in new (and existing) buildings to eliminate the stress of waste and increased carbon footprints as we progress and use each project not as an endgame of sustainable design, but as the minimum requirements to be ecologically responsible.
http://www.wbdg.org/resources/water-conservation
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/energy-efficient-home-design
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