Energy Efficient Solutions in Modern Buildings

Energy Efficient Solutions in Modern Buildings

In the building sector the highest energy saving potentials can be realized by energy efficient building design. The energy efficiency of buildings is significantly influenced by architectural design aspects, such as orientation, shape of the building structure, where the openings of windows are located, etc.

What is Energy Efficiency in Buildings?

Energy efficiency in buildings is a cost-effective way to improve balance sheets while contributing to the climate challenge, by:

• Producing economic and social benefits. 
• Anticipating regulatory requirements and pushing the energy performance of buildings upward.
• Reducing and/or eliminating GHG emissions.

Strategies for the design of energy efficient buildings

• Minimization of losses
•  Maximization of solar gains – Heating case
•  Minimization of solar gains – Cooling case
• Minimization of electricity demand for artificial lighting 

Depending on the degree of latitude strategies with stronger focus on gains or stronger focus on losses might more efficient, in general it can be stated that on most European sites a combination of all measures make sense.

Ultra-efficient home design combines state-of-the-art, energy efficient construction, appliances and lighting with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar water heating and solar electricity. By taking advantage of local climate and site conditions, designers can incorporate passive solar heating and cooling and energy-efficient landscaping strategies. The intent is to reduce home energy use as cost effectively as possible, and then meet the reduced requirements with on-site renewable energy systems.

Solutions

1.  Insulate roof
2.  Install solar heating panels
3. Energy efficient glazing
4. Insulate external wall
5. Using modern heating system
6.  Insulate cellar ceiling
7. Verify air conditioner insulation
8. Whole house fan
9. Using energy efficient lighting
10. Green walls and paint
11. Energy storage

An important and cost-effective element of an efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a well-insulated building. A more efficient building requires less heat generating or dissipating power, but may require more ventilation capacity to expel polluted indoor air.

Significant amounts of energy are flushed out of buildings in the water, air and compost streams. Off the shelf, on-site energy recycling technologies can effectively recapture energy from waste hot water and stale air and transfer that energy into incoming fresh cold water or fresh air. Recapture of energy for uses other than gardening from compost leaving buildings requires centralized anaerobic digesters.

Renewable energy generation

Modern world has considered for renewable energy to get energy in an efficient, economical and sustainable manner. 

•        Solar panels
•        Wind turbines
•        Solar water heating
•     Heat pumps 

Sustainable buildings and structures includes the study of the possibility of the use of clean renewable energy, the optimal use of the requested energy, water conservation, use of building materials reuse and improve the quality of the human environment. However by using those energy efficient solutions in modern buildings, it can be able to fulfill human needs and do human activities in more efficiently. 

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