Jonathan Jacques

CAD 106
Professor Khader Humied

Energy Conservation
Energy conservation has been a topic that many people are fighting to
change in the U.S. facts show that U.S. buildings account for 39% of total
energy use. The U.S. consumes more energy than most countries in the
world. As a student in CAD 106 I have researched seven science based
methods that can improve the way houses are constructed and also
alternate ways to conserve energy.
I have researched several sciences based methods to improve the way
buildings are now being constructed. The Air barrier system is the primary
air enclosed boundary that separates indoor conditioned air and outdoor
unconditioned air. Second alternate energy. A large majority of energy used
in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels. Renewable energy resources such as wind
and solar energy are constantly replenished and will never run out. Energy
efficient lighting has helped cut lighting operational costs 60% to 30%
while enhancing lighting quality, reducing environmental impacts and
promoting health and work productivity. Hydropower is a science based
method that I researched. Hydropower uses the gravitational force of water
to turn turbines and generate electricity. The size of the hydroelectric plant is
directly related to the amount and flow of water. Current interest in
hydropower has been primarily directed at developing incremental

hydropower by using an existing dam. This includes new hydroelectric

generation capacity achieved by increased efficiency or additions of new
capacity at an existing hydropower project. This also includes new electric
generation projects that are run-of-the-river projects. Hydropower is a huge
step in improving the way many building are now being build. Not only will it
benefit the environment because you are using water that is part of nature to
bring electricity to your home or build and more money will also stay in many
home owners pockets. The fifth science based method I have researched is
Passive Solar Heating. Passive solar heating uses the collection of solar
energy through properly oriented windows. This is very useful because the
storage of this energy in thermal mass, comprised of building materials with
high heat capacity such as concrete slabs, brick walls, or tile floors. This
natural distribution of stored solar energy back to the housing. Passive solar
heating systems do not have a high initial cost or long-term payback period,
both of which are common with many active solar heating systems.
Increased user comfort is another benefit to passive solar heating. If properly
designed, passive solar buildings are bright and sunny and in tune with the
nuances of climate and nature. As a result, there are fewer fluctuations in
temperature, resulting in a higher degree of temperature stability and
thermal comfort. By providing a delightful place to live and work, passive
solar buildings can contribute to increased satisfaction and user productivity.
Passive solar energy is also great because the design dose not generate
greenhouse gasses and also slows the use of fossil fuels. Smart Controls is

also important in the process of improving energy conservation. smart

controls system often has significant reductions in operations and
maintenance as well as energy consumption. Smart controls systems can
control, monitor, and optimize building services, such as, lighting, HVAC,
electrical plug-loads, security, CCTV, access control, audio-visual, as well as
occupancy-related systems. This saves both money and reduces energy
consumption. The last method I researched was water conservation
collecting rain water from gutter is a good way to start because the water is
not wasted instead it is being used for daily use. There is so much that can
be done to save more water.
These are all the method I researched that will help conserve both energy
and water as well as burn less fossil fuel in to the atmosphere and recycle
water.