18MEO103T – Energy systems for Buildings
Unit – I Energy transfer in Buildings
Conventional building Energy Efficient Building
Energy-efficient buildings both increase a
building's energy efficiency by using Energy
Star appliances and improve the design of the
Conventional buildings were built using
building. energy-efficient equipment, and
non-energy-saving techniques and it
renewable sources of energy.
consisted of steel, brick, and cement
sections. The cost of the building and energy spent is low.
The cost of the building and the energy It may partially depend on the external energy
spent is high. sources and sometimes fully not depend on the
external Energy sources.
It depends on the external Energy sources
Importance/Benefits of energy-efficient buildings
Increase in human comfort
Cut the Green House Gas emission
Reduce the Electricity bills
Why Energy efficient building?
Concepts of energy-efficient buildings
Straw bale houses
Low Embodied Energy
Biodegradable
Thermal inputs
Thermal inputs come
from different sources:
• Internal heat inputs
into the home, such
as the presence of
occupants or the
operation of
household
appliances
• Solar gains also
contribute to heating
the home and are
therefore part of the
heat gains in a
building’s energy
balance.
Cooling load calculations – External Loads
Energy balance for heating and cooling of buildings
If the external temperature is greater than the balanced outdoor temperature, the building
needs cooling.
If the external temperature is less than the balanced outdoor temperature, the building
needs heating.
The building balance point temperature is the outdoor air temperature when the heat gains of the building are
equal to the heat losses.
Example problem-1
A building has an overall heat transfer coefficient (U) of 0.5
W/m2.K and a total exposed surface area of 384 m2. The
building is subjected to an external load (only sensible) of 2 kW
and an internal load of 1.2 kW (sensible). If the required
internal temperature is 25 ºC, state whether a cooling system is
required or a heating system is required when the external
temperature is 3 ºC. How will the results change if the U-value
of the building is reduced to 0.36 W/m2.K?
Estimation of internal loads
Estimation of external loads
CLTD is the cooling load temperature difference.
where Aunshaded is the area exposed to solar radiation, SHGFmax and SC are the maximum Solar Heat
Gain Factor and Shading Coefficient, respectively, and CLF is the Cooling Load Factor
Estimation of external loads
Estimation of internal loads
Energy Efficient Building Examples
RGIA has been successful in saving energy for nearly 3.97 million kWh and has reduced its carbon footprint by 3331
tons.
Solar Energy 5 MW solar plant
Implementing sustainability in building construction
Implementing sustainability in building construction
Implementing sustainability in building construction
Implementing sustainability in building construction
Codes and standards for the energy efficient buildings-ECBC codes
ECBC stands for Energy Conservation and Building Codes.
It was first launched by the Minister of Power, Government of India, in May 2007.
Its purpose was to help promote energy efficiency in the building sectors. ECBC does so by setting design norms for:
•Building Envelope - Thermal performance requirements for walls, roofs, and windows
•Lighting System - Daylighting, lamps, and luminaire performance requirements
•HVAC System - Energy performance of chillers and air distribution systems
•Electrical System
•Water Heating and Pumping Systems - Requirements for solar hot-water systems
Low and zero energy buildings
Low and zero energy buildings
What is Net Zero Energy Building?
A net-zero energy building is also known as a zero energy building, defined as a building with net energy
consumption, which means the total amount of energy used by the building is equal to the amount of
renewable energy created on-site. Renewable energy means the energy generated by natural resources like
solar, wind, water and etc.
It suggests four ways in which net-zero energy may be defined:
• Net Zero Site Energy
• Net Zero Source Energy
• Net Zero Energy Costs
• Net Zero Energy Emissions
Advantages:
•Integration of renewable energy resources
•Reduced total cost of ownership and total net monthly cost of
living
•Implementation of zero energy principles Disadvantages:
•Reductions in operating carbon emissions •Initial costs can be higher
•Improved reliability •Very few designers or builders have the skills or experience
required for building Zero Energy Buildings
Future building design aspects
Conducting a detailed climate and site analysis-a preliminary design solution
The following descriptions of how the sun impacts your house will help
you determine its exact positioning relative to the four cardinal
directions. If you have a compass, that helps too.
•East:
• The east side of the house will receive direct morning sun but will be
shaded in the afternoon by the shadow of the building itself.
•West:
• The west side of the house will be shaded in the morning but fully
exposed to the hot afternoon sun.
•South:
• The south side of the house is most critical to passive solar design
because it receives the most sunlight throughout the day but never as
intensely as the east or west sides.
•North:
• The north-facing side of the house is almost always in shade.
The task of an Architect
Architects can achieve energy efficiency in the buildings they design by studying the
macro-and micro-climate of the site, applying bioclimatic architectural principles. Some
common design elements that affect the thermal conditions are:
1. Orientation: The placement of the building in north-south direction, reduces the
heat energy input in the building, increases overall ventilation and provide thermal
comfort to the building .
2. Landscaping: Landscaping alters the microclimate of the site. It reduces direct sun
from striking the building & heating up the building surfaces.
3. Materials of construction: Choice of building materials is very important in reducing
the energy contents of buildings.
4. Location of water bodies: Water is a very good modifier of microclimate. It
takes up large amount of heat in evaporation and causes significant cooling in
hot and dry climate. On the other hand, in humid climates, water should be
avoided as it adds to humidity.
5. Building form/surface to volume ratio: The volume of space inside a
building that needs to be heated or cooled and its relationship with the area of
the envelope enclosing the volume affects the thermal performance of the
building. For any given building volume, the more compact the shape, the less
wasteful it is in gaining/ losing heat.
Also, the building form determines the airflow pattern a round the building,
directly affecting its ventilation.
Some key energy saving measures:
• Orient the building to have maximum exposure & maximum glazing along north and
south facades.
• Restrict the glazing area to a maximum of 40-50% of the gross external wall area.
• Use atrium/skylights with adequate solar control to provide daylight access into
deeper spaces.
• Use shading strategies for the east, west and south facades to minimize solar gain
and reduce glare.
• Use rigid insulation such as extruded or expanded polystyrene, mineral wool for wall
and roof.
• Use energy efficient glass with spectrally selective coating to take maximum daylight
and yet have effective solar control.
• Energy efficient devices such as CFL’s, T-5 fluorescent lamps, electronic chokes, can
be used to reduce consumption.
Embodied energy and the life cycle of materials
Embodied Energy of building materials
• Embodied Energy or Embodied
Carbon refers to the sum impact of
all greenhouse gas emissions
attributed to the material during its
life cycle.
• This cycle includes extraction,
manufacturing, construction,
maintenance, and disposal.
Adapting the Cradle-to-Cradle system of building
Using the right shading devices
Integrating landscape and vegetation
Optimizing daylighting
Example for lighting in buildings
Solar house
House with Wind energy
House with Biogas plant
House with solar water heating
Solar operated power system in buildings
Using renewable energy sources and on-site energy generation
Choosing the right walling material to achieve thermal comfort
