Passive First – Active Second – Renewables Last
It is well documented in the construction industry that building energy use accounts for 41% of total energy use in the Unites States. This opportunity creates an exciting time for anyone engaged in the built environment. New and innovative materials and equipment labeled “green technology” emerge daily and are marketed to change the way we do business. The search continues for the silver bullet that will fix our energy consumption problem. As we implement the latest technologies, I can’t help but ask; Does this help us reach our goal of true sustainability? Does this impact climate change? Are we, in the AEC community, doing enough to reverse emission trends? The answer to me is obvious – No. The mere existence of ESCO, ESPC, and Sustainability Consultant businesses is sufficient proof that Builders and Designers have room for improvement.
When we look at buildings, we see a complex object operating dynamically. Changes to individual energy conservation measures typically do not result in directly proportional reductions to total building energy consumption. However, changes to groups of energy conservation measures typically have a compounding impact on reduction to total energy consumption. Where do we start? As it turns out, the silver bullet is the process of how we design, build and use buildings.
This inspiration resulted in the creation of AUROS360, a game changing methodology that provides building owners the control necessary to measure and, more importantly, manage a building(s) energy consumption. AUROS360 develops Energy Utilization Intensity (EUI) goals for the purpose of dramatically reducing energy consumption and delivering short, medium and long term financial returns. In most cases, the solution has 2-3 year payback period, but can be customized to meet the client’s financial needs.
One of the keys to AUROS360 is an unwavering commitment to the Natural Order of Sustainability, which is an energy methodology of Passive First – Active Second – Renewables Last. The Natural Order of Sustainability takes a biophilic approach and looks at buildings as living organisms. Natural processes and designs are the standard to which we aspire. A subsequent benefit of AUROS360 is that it provides an organic pathway to reach zero energy consumption.
PASSIVE FIRST
Maximizing passive strategies first will reduce loads for heating and cooling systems, thereby requiring smaller and more efficient active solutions for mechanical systems. Utilizing natural triggers of new and retrofit construction make this cost feasible. Common passive building principles to optimize energy balance through the building envelope are continuous insulation, airtight compact building shape, thermal-bridge free envelope, high performance windows and doors, optimal solar orientation, shading and modest window areas to optimize moderate solar gains.
ACTIVE SECOND
Active strategies to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling are most effective when mechanical equipment is decoupled. Logically, planners will optimize passive space conditioning solutions as a core multi-mode strategy. Common passive space conditioning solutions include an independent balanced mechanical ventilation system with heat and moisture recovery and pre-conditioning. This strategy will maximize a constant and filtered fresh air supply. Remaining peak loads can then be solved by implementing highly-efficient active systems. Active systems implemented using the Natural Order of Sustainability will be smaller due to passive load reduction strategies. Lastly, planners are challenged to manage internal loads with efficient appliances, HVAC, plumbing and lighting systems, which minimize sensible and latent loads and internal gains.
RENEWABLES LAST
Building owners who believe renewables are the silver bullet are quickly discovering that the return-on-investment for a renewable based energy efficient strategy developed in isolation is not financially sustainable. Passive building strategies lower energy consumption; active building strategies reduce loads enabled by the passive strategies and renewables are used to zero-out remaining energy consumption and carbon emissions of buildings as final strategy. At that point, photovoltaic arrays, geothermal well fields, and wind farms are more affordable due to their decrease in size and first-cost.
Once the Natural Order of Sustainability is considered, planners will begin to realize the hidden solutions to zero energy. Zero energy is possible without a financial premium or the sacrificing of thermal comfort.
The path to zero energy, zero carbon and world-class indoor air quality in the built environment requires vision and the alignment of all team members.
Natural Order of Sustainability is the Silver Bullet
The silver bullet is the process we use to design, and construct buildings for specific purposes. What we now know is to eliminate fuel poverty and provide equitable indoor air quality, we must understand the importance of a passive-first strategy.
We deliver Evidence-based Performance to building owners, developers and architects. www.aurosgroup.com.
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