energy efficient building envelope design

#Energy efficient building envelope design windows#

#Energy efficient building envelope design windows#

Doubled-Paned, or even Triple-paned windows will have lower U-Factors than single paned. The lower the U-Factor, the greater the resistance to heat flow. It is same concept as the R-Value only inversed. The U-Factor is the standard measurement for a windows resistance to heat flow.

These are the least efficient type of windows as they have only one thermal barrier and a high U-Factor. Most older buildings have single pane windows. Choosing the correct window for the building is determined by climate, building orientation, retrofitting (if old construction), and cost. Windows are the main source of heat loss in the building envelope. Department of Energy also has good resources for energy conservation and insulation available here. If your building has unused and non-insulated attic space, it will be easy to insulate and, according to the DOE, can save up to 40% of your energy costs! If your roof is not properly insulated, the rising heat will easily escape out of your roof. Use the appropriate type of insulation for the job and ensure quality workmanship. This means eliminating convection paths (gaps), particularly around windows, door jams, and wiring. Typically, your architect will know the rules for designing new construction.Įnsure that insulation is installed properly. The 2012 IECC for commercial buildings has become stricter when constructing new building envelopes. A foam spray insulation may be a better option here. Older construction sites may have exterior walls that are hard to reach. For new construction, standard fiberglass insulation is typically used. Insulation comes in several different forms. A higher R-Value means the insulation is more efficient. The R-Value represents how resistant a material is to heat flow. Lining the inside of exterior wall with a high R-Value insulation is the least expensive way to create an energy efficient building envelope. Below are steps you can take to increase your energy savings through the building envelope. Enhancing the insulation of the building envelope will help to prevent thermal exchanges between the inside and outside to save energy on heating and cooling. This includes all exterior walls, windows, doors, and roofing. The envelope of a building is defined as the physical separator between the exterior and the interior of the building. Energy Efficient Building Envelope Toolkit