Energy Performance

An energy performance upgrade must begin with an analysis of available actions and interventions. The planning strategies below provide a more targeted approach to heating, cooling, and lighting, resulting in greater energy-use awareness and, consequently, reduced energy use.

First and foremost, ongoing and good maintenance is key to the efficient energy operation of any building. In older buildings, maintenance can be neglected. Combined with inappropriate repairs or renovations, lack of maintenance can lead to original energy performing assemblies becoming compromised.

Second, it’s important to study the existing building’s original energy design as it may contain solutions to restore lost energy features. Original energy design or systems that are themselves part of a building’s heritage value are especially worthy of further study. The original building design may also contain measures that were intended to enhance performance but, due to competing project objectives, were omitted during the construction process.

Third, the design team can consider the many passive strategies that use traditional designs and techniques to improve the energy performance of existing buildings without compromising character-defining features. ,   Prior to the availability of a stable electrical supply, these strategies were heavily relied on. As building technologies evolved and new resources became available, the reliance on passive strategies shifted to more managed and active strategies, which used mechanical and electrical systems to deliver air, heat, cooling, and lighting. Today’s passive strategies make use of the natural airflow and lighting characteristics specific to a particular site and building design. A building may be only suited for certain passive strategies, requiring some level of mechanical augmentation.

Because it allows better tailoring of strategies to the building’s idiosyncrasies, this mixed strategy (passive and active) offers the greatest potential for improving energy performance within existing buildings. For instance, as is the case with operable or vented skylights, a naturally occurring stack effect can be augmented using limited mechanical air movement to enhance performance.

Fourth, the design team should consider that energy may be wasted by delivering services to areas that do not require them.

Finally, the successful implementation of a targeted delivery strategy must include user awareness; operators and occupants must understand how to use the systems as intended. If, for example, an occupant opens the window and turns on the heat on a cold day, energy use is less efficient. To limit the impact of these occurrences, mixed systems should include an education program and a series of checks, balances, and centrally managed overrides.