Page 173 - Solar Power in Building Design The Engineer's Complete Design Resource

6

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Introduction

Energy efficiency is an issue that affects all projects. Whether you are considering a
renewable energy system for supplying electricity to your home or business, or just
want to save money with your current electrical service supplier, the suggestions given
in this chapter will help you reduce the amount of energy that you use.
If you are planning to invest in a renewable energy system, such as solar or wind,
and your electricity is currently supplied from a local utility, increasing the energy effi-
ciency of the project will help to conserve valuable nonrenewable resources and
reduce the size and cost of the solar or wind energy system needed.
There are many ways to incorporate energy efficiency into a design. Most aspects of
energy consumption, within a building, have more efficient options than traditional
methods. In this chapter we will review the basic concepts of conventional electric
power generation and distribution losses and provide some basic recommendations and
suggestions about energy conservation measures, which could significantly increase the
efficiency of energy use.
In addition to providing energy-saving suggestions, we will review automated light-
ing design and California Energy Commission Title 24 design compliance. In view of
recent green building design measures and raised consciousness about energy conser-
vation, we will review the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED).

General Energy-Saving Measures

The following recommendations involve simple yet very effective means of increas-
ing energy use. By following the recommendations, energy use can be minimized
noticeably without resorting to major capital investment.

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