How can you design an energy-efficient building in an urban area?

Can be achieved considering the followings: 1- maximize the natural ventilation and Daylight by proper location and orientation with respect to sun and wind. 2- Use high performance insulation to reduce heat transfer and HVAC capacities required accordingly. 3- Use energy efficient lighting system such as LED and smart systems. 4- Integration of renewable Energy such as solar panels.

J'ai notamment constaté sur mon domicile, je suis toujours en dessous de la moyenne en terme de consommation énergétique (source HQ).

Integrate landscape design that provides trees for summer, appropriate planting for wind, and attractive outdoor spaces so that occupants want to spend more time outdoors, thereby reducing the occupants' driven additional heat load to the building. These strategies are explained below. Appropriate site selection. ... Site planning. ... Building form. ... Building plan and appropriate space organization. ... Building envelope. ... Choosing energy-efficient building materials. ... Energy-efficient landscape design. ... Usage renewable energy resources.

Site selection and orientation are critical factors in designing an energy-efficient building. The location of the building affects a wide range of environmental factors, including solar access, wind patterns, and the local ecosystem. By choosing a suitable site and orienting the building according to these factors, you can optimize the natural lighting, ventilation, and shading of the building, and reduce the need for artificial cooling and heating. Passive solar design is an effective way to capture and store solar energy using the building’s shape, windows, and materials. Placing more windows on the south-facing facade and using thermal mass materials such as concrete or stone can help store heat during the day and release it at night.

There are several considerations most importantly : Optimize the building's orientation by position the building to maximize natural light and minimize heat gain from the sun. Consider factors such as prevailing winds and shading from nearby structures ,also Insulation and efficient windows: Use high-quality insulation materials and install energy-efficient windows to reduce heat transfer and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

To design an energy-efficient building it is necessary to select the right materials and insulations for the building construction. The materials should have a low embodied energy and a high thermal performance. To achieve these goals, you can use recycled or renewable materials such as wood, bamboo, or straw. These materials have low embodied energy and are environmentally friendly. You can also insulate the walls, roof, and floor with natural or synthetic materials such as wool, cellulose, or polystyrene. These materials have high thermal performance and can help maintain a stable indoor temperature.

Buildings alone account for apx. 35% of energy consumption (while at construction, in use & recycling or backfilling) which are measured to apx. 40% CO2 emissions. Material selection - choosing light weight reusable construction materials with EPD ( Environmental Product Declarations) regulated by ISO. Choosing companies who declare lower energy consumption for manufacturing through LCA ( Life cycle assessment for their manufacturing process) Building design - Designing the right U-value for the building envelope( thermal transmittance, rate of transfer of heat through structure). Designing LEED certified buildings demanding LEED credits

Using high value SRI paints especially for roof will reduce infiltration of solar radiation to building. Also appropriate u value building materials, choice of materials like pvc windows over aluminum windows etc will also help to reduce heat load inside the building.

To achieve these goals, you can use renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal power. These sources are environmentally friendly and can help reduce the carbon footprint of the building. You can also minimize the consumption and waste of water and other resources by using low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting systems for water supply.

Since HVAC system being major consumer for energy in any commercial building, selection of high efficient hvac system is vital in energy conservation. Precision in hvac calculations will help in selection of right equipments. Integrating VFDs, EC motor or BLDC driven fans, modulating actuators, filters with low static loss etc will make the system more efficient. Water saving sanitary accessories (eg taps with aerators, low flow rate showers etc) will help to reduce water consumption which inturn reduces energy cost for treating and pumping water. Although LED lamps and lights are now a general practice, integration of motion sensors, occupancy sensors etc will add further to energy savings.

Integrating building through grid can help generating energy which are not used by energy efficient buildings to contributed to buildings consuming high energy. As retrofit can’t always achieve energy efficiency of a new building that’s designed today.

In civil engineering, the concept of user involvement in the design process is known as participatory design. Participatory design is a collaborative approach that involves users, stakeholders, and designers in the design process to ensure that the final product meets the needs of the users and is sustainable. There are several other strategies that civil engineers can use to promote energy efficiency in buildings. These include the use of passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and shading to reduce the energy demand of the building, and the use of active design strategies such as energy-efficient HVAC systems, lighting systems, and renewable energy sources to meet the remaining energy demand.

Irrespective of how efficient the design and construction of a building, end user approach is vital in generating desired output from it. End user's insight on need of energy efficiency and understanding about technologies adopted in a particular building is vital in achieving energy. Frequent monitoring of equipment and building perfomace, finetunings based on changing requirements, optimum consumption practices are all inevitable in this journey.

The process of evaluating and improving the energy performance of a building is known as Building Performance Evaluation (BPE). BPE is a systematic approach that involves the collection and analysis of data on the energy performance of a building, and the identification of opportunities for improvement. BPE can be conducted using a variety of methods, including energy audits, surveys, and interviews. Energy audits involve a detailed analysis of the energy consumption and generation of the building, and the identification of areas where energy can be saved. Surveys and interviews are used to collect feedback from the users about their comfort, health, and satisfaction with the building

Most of the buildings constructed before 10 - 20 years are going to stay for another 30 or more years hence performance evaluation and improvement is equally important. Innovative retrofitting - Solutions that can be deployed into built environments. Index - Energy performance index provided by authorities allowing you to measure your building use compared to similar homes in the area

It is clear that insulating building elements especially those confronting open area and outside is the most effective way of energy saving and it is almost done in all building designs. But the problem is the old building without insulation or poor insulated. Also those buildings that are not constructed according to the insulation designated in the design. So there must be easy and affordable methods that these kind of building leverage for energy efficiency .

Embracing the journey towards energy-efficient buildings in urban areas presents a thrilling yet challenging landscape. Personally, I find the prospect of lower energy bills and diminished greenhouse gas emissions exhilarating. Beyond financial savings, the improved indoor comfort and health benefits resonate deeply with me, envisioning spaces that prioritize well-being. However, let's acknowledge the hurdles – the upfront costs, navigating regulatory barriers, and the intricacies of design coordination. It's crucial to address behavioural and cultural factors, fostering a collective commitment to sustainability. Despite uncertainties, the pursuit of a greener urban future is undeniably worth the effort.

Hire green building experts. US Green building council trains and lists such experts. Or hire such agencies that offer expert advice on such matters. Hence before procurement of energy efficient equipment or procurement of works, do procurement of consultancy services to hire these experts. These people work with the purchaser in identifying their energy efficient requirement and making them part of the tender document. During implementation the experts should be made part of contract monitoring unit to ascertain that the energy efficiency measures are taken care off. During operation of building, building management software be installed that checks the efficiency of each equipment and the operational condition of the entire building.

It is clear that insulating building elements especially those confronting open area and outside is the most effective way of energy saving and it is almost done in all building designs. But the problem is the old building without insulation or poor insulated. Also those buildings that are not constructed according to the insulation designated in the design. So there must be easy and affordable methods that these kind of building leverage for energy efficiency .