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Energy efficiency in construction
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Executive Summary This report provides an analysis and evaluation of current energy efficiency methods and techniques and how they affect prospective construction professionals. The research draws attention to the fact that the building sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. With the building sector accountable for 23% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. With careful building design, and incorporating energy efficient techniques and materials, the building sector’s greenhouse gas emissions could be dramatically reduced, leading to sustainable development. These energy efficient measures have barriers that need to be overcome before their potential can be reached in the building sector. It is recommend that the design team thoroughly investigates all energy alternatives, and design the building as energy efficient as possible before commencing building. It is also recommended that prospective construction professionals are fully educated on alternative energy methods. Client awareness needs to be raised, so there is higher demand and market for energy efficiency. Introduction This report will be examining what sustainable development is. The role of how improved energy efficient methods in the building sector can contribute to sustainable development. It examines the barriers construction professionals face with energy efficiency, and also the drivers that can help buildings reach their optimum efficiency and sustainability. What is sustainable development? Sustainable development is, in its simplest the survival of the planet Earth. Sustainable development meets the demands of today’s society without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own demands. First, the basic needs of the world... ... middle of paper ... .... 204). Construction regulations allow construction professionals to stay competitive by introducing a higher standard of development that all professionals are required to meet in order to build. Which provides an immediate investment to commence energy efficiency methods (Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council 2009, p. 27). Conclusion In conclusion sustainable development meets the demands of today’s generation without limiting future generations. How the design team play a major role in energy efficiency by using improved energy methods such as; careful selection of materials and appliances, alternative energy methods and building orientation can contribute to sustainable development. The report examined the barriers energy efficiency and construction professionals faced and how they can be overcome, and also some of the drivers of energy efficiency.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program for green buildings with stringent requirements for building energy efficient and environmentally responsible structures. Some requirements of this program include specific building materials, smart grid capable, gray water reclamation systems, green space minimums, high levels of insulation and low thermal transfer glass (US Green Building Council). Green buildings are a must if we are to sustain our current level of growth. Despite the higher initial cost of these buildings, the long term energy savings make these buildings a smarter choice for
A green building (also referred to as sustainable building or green construction) is a structure that employs an approach that is responsible for the environment besides being efficient in regard to resources all through its life cycle: This is from selecting the site to designing it, constructing, operating, maintaining, renovating and demolishing it. To achieve this, the client, the engineers, the architects and the entire design team closely cooperate at all stages of a project (Yan and Paliniotis, 2006). Practicing Green Building complements and expands the conventional building design areas of comfort, durability, utility and economy.
The cost of integrating a sustainable building will depend mostly on the location, climate, type of building, site condition, and also project team can influence the cost (Morris, 2007). Green buildings are more expensive compared to conventional buildings. While considering the cost of green buildings, both positive and negative benefits should be considered. The positive benefits like economic advantages that are not visible during construction (Buys & Hurbissoon, 2011). The new technologies that are implemented, they results in a great investment in a long-term by reducing maintenance and operation cost. Since green buildings contribute to the economy, developers are now adapting the idea of constructing green buildings (Best Buildings and Materials of 2015). It added by saying, greater efficiency should be promoted for water and energy, while conserving nature and lowering the building cost. There are design and construction
Buildings consume 40% of energy and produce 40% of CO2 emissions (DTI 2004) to reduce the high level of CO2. EU and UK government have introduced tougher energy efficiency standards, this will be felt by builders merchant; the latter stand to gain from an increase in demand for insulation materials but will also have to bear additional costs. The Key Impacts of building merchant industry on climate change are the cement sector alone accounts for 5% of global man-made CO2 emission (Piltz 2005), highest impact is the mining/manufacture of materials and chemicals, transport of heavy materials such as cement is energy-intensive, but most building materials tend to be sourced from close-by facilities. The chemical processes and use of fuel/electricity account for the major portion of the sector's CO2 emissions.
Buildings consume a variety of materials in their construction. Green design reduces the dependence on resource intensive products and materials. Today, there are an increasing number of products available made from efficient, earth-friendly, or recycled materials. In a green building, consideration is also given to the construction process itself. Materials that minimize waste or can be recycled, help contribute to an efficient and environmentally sensitive construction process.
ST Diamond Building is the art of green architecture, combined with the science of energy conservation is showcased in the 4,928 square metres Diamond Building, an iconic 8 storey office building. The Diamond Building is the Energy Commission’s social Commitment to the present and future generations of Malaysia. Taking the lead in developing and implementing solutions for environmental sustainability, the Energy Commission embarked on a bold vision to develop its headquarters in line with highest global standards in green initiatives, to showcase the best practices in environmental solutions. The vision of the Diamond Building was first sowed in 2002 with an aim to build a facility with green and energy efficient technologies, which will aptly symbolises Energy Commission as a regulator for the
"Green Building: Advantages & Disadvantages." Green Building: Advantages & Disadvantages. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2013. .
Creating a net zero building involves many sustainable systems that have to work together in order to succeed. When I chose to create an exterior façade to save energy, the program “Climate Consultant” recommends that I focus on the following systems to keep my building efficient:
The perfect green building would protect the environment which surround the project site, and could be used as a building that is going to achieve a purpose. The construction and operation levels of the green building will help to have a healthy environment without disrupting the land, water, energy and resources used inside the building and around the building in the project site; this is the actual definition of the green building.
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.
In this day and age, it’s super important to be cost efficient with your money and anything you may spend it on. It is important to be cost and energy efficient because you could always use more money, you could have the same kind of appliances but just using less energy and you could also be saving the Earth. In this project, we were presented with trying to build a house that was both eco-friendly and cost efficient. It is important to have energy efficient homes because it can lower your energy bill, it could keep your heat where you need it if you chose the right products, and it would help you have more money in your pocket if you have lower bills.
Energy efficiency means utilizing the minimum amount of energy for heating, cooling, equipments and lighting that is required to maintain comfort conditions in a building. An important factor impacting on energy efficiency is the building envelope. This includes all of the building elements between the interior and the exterior of the building such as: walls, windows, doors, roof and foundations. All of these components must work together in order to make a building energy efficient.
“Sustainable Development: At its heart, sustainable development is the simple idea of ensuring a good quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. It is about living within the carrying capacity of the environment so that how we live, work and enjoy leisure activities, which do not harm or put undue pressures on the environment. It is about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to have a decent education, a quality environment that they take pride in, good health and a decent job (n.p, 2014)”
A report on “engineering for sustainable development: Guiding principles” which was written by the Royal academy of engineering in the United Kingdom describes three types of concerns faced by the civil engineers as the sustainable development in civil engineering progresses. They
In class we discussed what sustainable development meant to us; each group had its own definition. Our group’s definition was that sustainable development is for the long term for future generations, for the basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and job. The basic will increase over time and our resources will diminish, which why sustainable development is important. Sustainable development is important for future generations so that they end up with a world better than ours. Sustainable development is achievable if society works together to meet everyone’s basic needs and create a better world.