Solar Energy
The sun is a fundamental part of the heating, cooling, and lighting in a building with a passive solar design. In this instance, passive means that the model does not need any device. Also, the plan doesn’t include a huge investment, and it pays itself off soon enough. You cannot say the same about its alternatives such as solar panels.
The only trade-off is that the design is complicated. As such, the designers must choose everything carefully, including the location, size, as well as the type of walls and windows. The choice of plants to be placed around the building to provide shade also requires careful consideration.
The very first thing that designers do is to identify the path of the sun, which is determined by the rays that strike the building. We all know that the sun rises and sets in the east and west, respectively. However, we must also remember that it keeps “moving” across the sky during the day. We mustn’t also forget that the time of the year is a huge determinant of the position of the sun in the sky.
That’s not all. Other factors such as insolation (the volume of solar radiation that is absorbed by a surface area) also go into the design. Insolation isn’t the only factor that influences the rays of the sun; climate also has a say in it. Elements of weather such as clouds, wind patterns, and humidity are significant determinants of the temperature inside a building. With the help of the right software, designers are usually able to calculate the most appropriate placement and materials for each building. These calculations are different for each building.
Generally, a building where passive solar design has been used bears deciduous plants and large windows on the southern side. The objective is to allow maximum sunlight into the building during winter, and shade during summer. Such a building utilizes materials with high thermal mass. These are materials capable of retaining heat well, such as tiles and concrete. The passive solar design offers an incredible way of cutting down the energy used for the HVAC system of the building as well as lighting. Further, lighting a commercial space using daylight goes a long way in uplifting the mood of its occupants
Dual Plumbing System
Some commercial builders go an extra mile when it comes to water conservation. Besides the low flow toilets made mandatory by the federal government, these commercial builders use water that is unsafe for drinking in things such as flushing toilets and landscape irrigation. One of the ways through which they achieve this goal is via a dual piping system or a dual plumbing system.
The system works by separating water into two types, namely reclaimed and potable. The latter is safe for household uses such as cleaning, cooking, and drinking. On the other hand, reclaimed water was formerly sewage or waste. While it may sound nasty to you, it is not. Reclaimed water is usually treated to get rid of any solid waste and then cleaned to remove harmful bacteria.
This system comes with its disadvantages, though. For instance, it is costlier to install two plumbing systems compared to having one system. The very first installation of the dual plumbing system happened in the Irvine Ranch Water District, California. The standard of utilizing purple piping to differentiate potable water from reclaimed water originated from here.
The other way of conserving water, which offers a cheaper alternative, is utilizing greywater produced within the building. Any wastewater within a building apart from the one coming from the toilet is referred to as greywater and accounts for 60% of household wastewater. You can approach it in different ways. One such approach is to have two different plumbing systems. You can opt to collect rainwater and use it to irrigate plants or fill toilets. Another practical strategy is to install special sink/toilet combinations, mostly in commercial buildings, where the water used to wash hand fills the toilet for flushing purposes.
Alternatives to AC/HVAC
Some conventional HVAC systems are indeed more efficient than others. However, other options, such as chiller boiler systems are equally worth our attention. While typical HVAC systems utilize air to regulate temperatures, chiller boiler systems are hydronic (use water) – making it more efficient because it offers temperatures as well.
Chiller boiler systems are usually attached to the building’s water supply. Do radiators ring a bell? The radiator is an older hydronic system that produces heat with the help of steam. A chiller boiler system works pretty much the same way. It warms up the building using radiant heat, rather than hot water. The only disadvantage is that chiller boilers aren’t cost-efficient in massive commercial buildings but would do well in relatively smaller ones.
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As the owner and founder of Paramount Development Group, Richard DeRosa has been praised for his dedication to the restoration of landmarks for future generations, his adherence to environmentally friendly policies and his willingness to pursue designs that promote conservation.