Design Journal Entry - Module 3

Journal Entry For
Module 3 - Project Goals Targets & Strategies
The goal of my project is to promote energy efficiency through the design of an aesthetically pleasing green environmentally friendly building.

Goal 1: Net-zero Site Energy

Measure:

Energy Use Intensity to gauge the total energy consumed by the building within a year.

Targets:

  • Minimal target: reduce the overall energy consumption of the average building in San Jose, California by at least 25%.
  • Design goal: reduce the overall energy consumption of the average building in San Jose, California by 40% or more.

Strategies:

  • Implement PV panels on roof.
  • Incorporating natural shading options such as trees to help reduce energy consumption and enhance the overall appearance of the building.
  • Include energy efficient building materials such as double pane windows and self-operable windows for natural ventilation.
  • Utilize energy conservation HVAC features, such as economizer mode.
  • Implement plug load controls to conserve energy.
  • Install energy efficient lighting systems, such as wattstopper and daylight sensors.
image

Goal 2: Ground Source Heat Pumps

Measure:

Energy Use Intensity or other energy measurement tool, such as the building automation system, to gauge the total energy consumed by the heat pumps within the building.

Targets:

  • Minimal target: reduce the overall energy consumption of water heating of the average building in San Jose, California by at least 20%.
  • Design goal: reduce the overall energy consumption of water heating of the average building in San Jose, California by 30% or more.

Strategies:

  • Install heat pumps to transfer heat into the home to heat the water.
  • Locate building in a warm area to ensure optimization of heat energy.

image

Goal 3: Thermal Insulation

Measure:

Building automation system metrics to give a more detailed overview of system performance, specifically the overall building performance.

Targets:

  • Minimal target: ASHRAE Standard 55 on Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.
  • Design goal: exceed ASHRAE Standard 55 requirements on building thermal insulation by 20%.

Strategies:

  • Installation of Aerogel to reduce HVAC energy consumption and create a tightly sealed building envelope since the material has a low density and thermal conductivity.
  • Installation of energy efficient HVAC equipment.
  • Utilize concrete as a building material due to its high heat retention properties during the summer.
  • Install windows with a high R-value to reduce thermal transmittance into perimeters.
    • Consider dual pane windows to further reduce thermal transmittance from the outdoors.
image

References: