02 Sep How to Build Energy Efficient Buildings in NYC – Important Tips for Building Owners
When it comes to saving costs in the building industry, the operational costs over the course of the building’s lifetime could mean the difference between a profit or loss. You should always take both the initial capital and long-term running costs into account when considering the feasibility of a structure. Building Owners in New York City should implement Energy Efficient measures to cut down on GHG Emissions, comply with Local Laws and save huge sums of money on energy costs.
Introducing measures that contribute to the building’s energy efficiency is a common way to minimize the running costs and to cut down on the payback period. Builders can develop energy-efficient buildings by using suitable construction techniques.
The Cotocon Group lists down some of the measures Building Owners can implement.
Start with Smart Design
Cost-effective zero net energy buildings begin with smart design. Designers and architects, as well as builders, should be familiar with all the energy efficiency steps involved in building an Energy Efficient Building. Smart Design is crucial in building Energy Efficient Buildings.
HVAC Systems
Thermal regulating systems are common in buildings whether they’re residential or commercial. If not appropriately regulated, they can also be one of the biggest energy consumers.
Installing energy-efficient HVAC systems can adjust the air intake through measures such as an adjustable exhaust hood setting. By using timers, you can also minimize the operation of these systems during periods of low activity in the building. Although the latest technology in HVAC systems may be more costly, the energy savings in the long run make it a worthwhile choice.
Renewable Energy
Solar panels are an effective renewable energy source used to cut down on electricity usage. In buildings, they are often installed to heat water by powering geysers or heated swimming pools. During construction, it’s important to position the panels on a section of the building that receives a lot of sun exposure. And where there is sufficient space for the required number of panels. As such, it’s usually best to install them on the roofs of buildings where they can receive uninterrupted exposure to the sun during the day.
Insulation
Energy-efficient buildings have the ability to heat and cool themselves independently. Insulation plays an important role here. It helps to regulate the temperature in a building by reducing the amount of air that escapes a structure. This construction technique reduces the load on HVAC systems in the building. By doing so, it reduces the resulting electricity usage.
There are several methods to ensure proper insulation in a building. One way is Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction, which uses blocks of expanded polystyrene foam that perfectly fit into sections of the structure. The blocks form a seal that prevents air drafts. Thus, they contribute to the effective insulation of the building, as well as the protection of the building against fire and weather damage.
Optimize with Energy Modeling
The Building’s energy use should be estimated during the design phase using energy modeling to ensure that the goal of Energy Efficiency can be achieved while keeping costs down. Based on the results, design choices can be made or modified to balance building performance and construction cost.
Install Energy Efficient Lighting
Minimizing energy use for lighting, while optimizing light for residents, is an important feature of Energy Efficient Buildings. LED lights are the perfect match for these tasks. They are more energy efficient than CFLs, last many years longer, and contain no mercury.
The team at The Cotocon Group consists of seasoned professionals that can help Building Owners in designing Energy Efficient Buildings. Get in touch with us to know more!