By correcting building envelope deficiencies, the new HVAC equipment will be subject to a reduced workload. If a property owner is considering a mechanical equipment upgrade to improve energy efficiency, a building envelope inspection is recommended first. Space heating and cooling accounts for over 30 of buildings energy consumption. Department of Energy, which provides a rating of your homes current efficiency, as well as a list of improvements and potential savings. This creates an air gap that improves insulation. Human thermal comfort is the ultimate objective of architectural design. The Home Energy Score is a national rating system, developed by the U.S. If the property owner wants to avoid disrupting the existing envelope, an alternative upgrade is adding storm windows in front of the existing ones. Triple-pane windows with low-emissivity coating offer the top performance in the market. Window upgrades can drastically reduce unwanted heat transfer from fenestration, although the project can be expensive due to the associated labor cost. The researchers estimate that up to 5,100 premature deaths would be prevented yearly if those conditions were met. Caulking can be applied in air leaks that affect fixed building elements, and weatherstripping is suitable for moving elements such as doors and windows. The optimistic scenario, the authors say, envisions a 50 increase in appliance efficiency (everything from refrigerators to boilers) and a 60-90 increase in the efficiency of buildings’ outer shells by 2050. Due to the energy and environmental impacts attributed to the operational phase of the building sector, efforts have been made to improve building energy performance through the implementation of restrictive energy requirements by regulatory bodies. However, before proceeding with any building upgrade, the recommended first step is identifying deficiencies in the existing envelope.Īlthough air leaks and deficient insulation are invisible, energy consultants can pinpoint them with methods such as thermal imaging and pressurization tests. Improving Envelope Performance in Existing Propertiesĭesigning a building with an efficient envelope from the start is the optimal solution, but the business case is often favorable for upgrades in existing properties. If there is a blackout, an airtight and well-insulated building can sustain adequate temperatures for a longer time than a building with a deficient envelope. Smaller equipment not only has a lower price, but also reduced maintenance costs.Īn efficient envelope also increases building resilience against extreme weather events that interrupt the power supply. Since heating and cooling loads are decreased, the nameplate capacity of the corresponding equipment may also be reduced. In new constructions, a high-performance building envelope can also reduce the upfront cost of mechanical installations.
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