What is in this article?:
Concerned about energy costs? It's a worthy concern. Heating and cooling costs represent up to 60 percent of a typical building's operating budget. This makes energy efficiency a high priority. Unfortunately, achieving energy efficiency in new construction is not a standard procedure. If anything, it's a constantly changing science.
This much is known: Optimizing energy efficiency is a multi-component, integrated process; it's not the result of a single technique or product. Although some aspects are unique to specific regions and buildings, certain elements are consistent when the objective is heating and cooling efficiency:
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Adding insulation where needed to create an effective thermal (building) envelope.
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Selecting the right heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system for the facility's size, location and function.
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Selecting window sizes and glass types that minimize heat transfer.
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Choosing a building shell that helps reduce air leakage.
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Monitoring and adjusting thermostat settings to coincide with usage.
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Scheduling routine maintenance on the building and its heating/cooling equipment.
An inadequate building envelope is a leading cause of unnecessary energy use. A building's envelope is composed of walls, windows, doors, a foundation and a roof. Installing the right amount of insulation keeps an envelope strong and reduces energy expenses.
Accurate facility planning requires understanding how to calculate insulation value and compare the insulation efficiencies of various building materials.
