Net-Zero Energy Buildings - Research Paper Example

when due: Net Zero Energy Buildings Amid concerns in rising energy issue in the world, energy independence and the effects of climate change, research shows that buildings are the primary energy consumers. As such, this fact underscores the significance of targeting efficient energy use through building as a method of reducing energy consumption. Architectures can reduce energy consumption by integrating energy efficient strategies into the construction, design, and operation of new buildings to improve the effectiveness of new buildings as well as retrofitting the existing buildings to improve their efficiency in terms of energy use. These type of designs or buildings are referred to as net zero energy buildings. Typically, these buildings produce energy which is equal to the amount of energy used for every year. Although this technology is new, it is gaining popularity as people realize the need to shift from energy reliance to green economy. Net zero energy buildings are efficient in that they are not only energy efficient, but also cost effective in the long run. Net zero energy is a new term that lacks a definite definition. However, the basic concept is that all definitions imply that this technology is energy efficient. It is very important to understand some of the basic definitions of zero net energy building to comprehend how they operate in terms of energy use. Typically, net zero energy can be described in many ways. Net energy is the energy consumed or generated at a certain site irrespective of the origins of the energy. In a net zero site building, the energy consumed in one year is equal to the energy produced in a given year. On the other hand, source energy is the energy required to extract and deliver energy to the source, which must be accounted for when calculating the zero energy net buildings (Architecture & Sustainable Development, 44). Net zero energy costs refers to the amount paid by the utility which is equal to the amount of money that the owner pays for the energy services as well as energy used throughout the year. The other important concept that is paramount in defining zero energy buildings is the net zero energy emissions. Here, the buildings produce free renewable energy emissions that is equal to emissions produced in energy sources. Successful zero energy ensures that all technologies that ensure energy efficiency are installed. The building is made in such a way that energy requirements decrease space for heating and cooling of water. Likewise, the design increases the efficiency of the furnace and air conditioner such that they use less energy. In addition, a solar system for hot water, which acts as a backup for water heater, is ensured in such buildings. Efficient lighting fixtures and energy conserving efficiencies like photovoltaic are also used to enhance the efficiency further (Papadopoulou, 87). Anything that makes use of less energy consumption while making use of the renewable sources at the same time is useful for this design. A thorough research on the design of the building is done by experts to ensure that all materials used up for the building consume less energy at all costs. Typically, implementation of the design requires specialized skills and expertise to ensure that all possibilities of saving on nonrenewable energy are minimized as much as possible while sources of renewable sources are maximized. All the discussed design is very efficient in terms of energy consumption in the future. It is worth noting that zero energy buildings have improved comfort through temperature regulation processes. This is achieved by the process of infiltration and insulation through a variety of processes. Insulation encloses buildings and improves the resistance to heat in and out of the building. This allows the building to remain cool in summer seasons and warn during the winter season. The R value measures in buildings signify a better insulation system. Likewise, these buildings are reliable because these buildings can continue their functioning even when there are blackouts. Whenever other places that rely on hydroelectric power experience problems in delivery of energy, those using zero energy buildings are advantaged because they have a backup system. This means that all the activities within these buildings are not negatively affected in case of power blackout. According to Rehfeld (2011), another great advantage of these buildings is that the owner experiences energy security. Such a building protects the owner from insecurities emanating from fluctuations in energy prices. Owners of these buildings are immune from energy costs that keep fluctuating every now and then. This goal is achieved because these systems use natural means rather than oils and hydropower that keeps rising up as the rates of energy escalate due to increased demand. For instance, rather than buying energy for heating water, these buildings use solar as the means of energy for cooling water. Common water heating systems can provide two thirds of hot water to residents. Although convectional fuel may be needed for some purposes, solar energy reduces the use of fossil fuel significantly. Usually, there are two types of water cooling systems; passive and active. Active uses electric pumps and valves to distribute water directly into the water containers. On the other hand, passive does not use pumps or valves to distribute water; instead water is stored in storage tanks. There are two types of passive ensure people can access warm water at all seasons. Batch heater has one or two storage tanks placed in an insulated box facing the sun. These are efficient for warm seasons since they should be protected from freezing. Passive methods are more reliable as they use less energy as compared to active methods that require more energy to pump or distribute water. Environmental sustainability is also another thing that is ensued in these buildings (Voss and Eike, 56). Zero energy buildings reduce pollution that results from inefficient energy uses that causes pollution. Usually, air pollution occurs as a result of burning fossil fuels to produce energy. Almost every source of energy in most cases is accompanied by burning of fossil fuel. When fossil fuel is burnt, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are produced in large amount. These gases cause air pollution as well as depletion the ozone layer. Consequently, this causes global warming, which is becoming source of apprehension in the contemporary society. The issue of global warming is the most discussed aspect by environmentalists who are fighting hard to ensure that the world is free from harsh climate and conditions that are harsh for living things. Likewise, air pollution causes several respirational diseases as well as well as reduces the quality of environment. As such, constructing of zero energy buildings is one step towards environmental sustainability. This is because these buildings ensure that the demand for burning carbon fuels is kept minimal. Although in some cases owners may be forced to use fossil fuels, this is greatly reduced. Research and statistics stipulate that sources of fossil energy are exhaustible. This is an indication that at one point in the future, sources of fossil energy will be depleted such that the energy from fossil fuel will either be very expensive or this energy will no longer be available. This trend is common and is also facilitated by the fact that almost everything that requires energy depends on fossil fuel. There will be a great crisis once these sources can no longer produce enough oil. As such, people who have turned to zero energy buildings are one step ahead in ensuring that they reduce the rate at which energy sources are depleted. One thing about these buildings is that they try to make use of efficient and natural sources of energy that are inexhaustible. Even when fossil fuel is depleted, zero net buildings will not experience much loss as owners are already making use of inexhaustible sources of energy such as wind and solar. Energy can be harvested on site. This means that the energy used in these houses is not dependent entirely on fossil fuels and hydroelectricity which is bought from multiple sources. As the reliability of these sources energy decreases, so do the need for onsite energy harvesting. These sources of energy include wind and solar power, which requires less costs to tap energy so long as the installation is effective. It is true that initial cost is high, however; the long term effect is that the cost of energy will no longer be an issue (Sioshansi, 144). With the current campaigns on overreliance of fossil fuels and environmental pollution, there is likelihood that legislatures will be implemented to ensure that existing buildings are retrofitted into zero energy buildings to escape overreliance on fossil fuel. Restricting of buildings will be very expensive for the owners and they will wish that they had constructed zero energy buildings from the word go. This means that people who already have these buildings will have no extra cost of restructuring as they are already within the requirements of the legislation. The value of zero energy buildings increases whenever energy prices escalate. This means that for every time a unit of energy increases, zero energy buildings will have an added value as they will encounter less loss in purchasing for fuels. Any building that increases in value is worth all the initial costs even when they are more expensive. These buildings are important assets that multiply in value every now and then. Similarly, there is a higher profit margin when sold as the demand of these buildings keeps on escalating. Typically, the demand for these building is higher than expected. In fact potential buyers demand for more zero energy buildings than are available in the market. Nonetheless, as much as zero energy buildings are efficient, the design is mostly hard to achieve. The technologies involved consume a lot of time and sometimes may not reach the desired goals. Sometimes these buildings may not use the intended technology adequately due to lack of enough skills needed in the construction process. Since very few people have the required skills for zero net buildings, it means that the technology is still young. Likewise, getting such designers proves to be difficult and quite expensive especially in some sites that face certain directions straining the trapping of renewable energies. This may discourage many people from erecting such buildings having in mind that the skills required for attaining them is very expensive. Some may even decide on continuing to pay higher prices on energy as they cannot afford such buildings even when they are willing to. Another great factor that discourages people from investing in these buildings is that rely heavily on climate (Attia, 34). For instance, during winters, it would be impossible to make use of solar, which is the main source of renewable sources. This may make these buildings quite inefficient considering that owners invest a large amount of money to see these building standing. This, combined with the initial high cost is enough to discourage people from investing in them. Net zero energy buildings change the world of architecture. This means that designers should go back to class and study the new technology once again. This is not only cost inefficient, but also time consuming. This discourages people from investing in these buildings as they regard them as waste of both money and time. This makes these buildings less efficient for most people. All in all, zero energy buildings are very efficient in the long run. Even though to some the benefits may not be outright, future legislators and high costs for energy consumption may force people to turn to this technology that is efficient in energy consumption. Likewise, these buildings are one step ahead in saving the environment that all people depend on (Sioshansi, 535). The fact that people can no longer interdepend on fossil fuel for energy use and production is environmentally friendly. In many cases, even though the initial cost may be high, it is worth the cost because owners will no longer be affected by the increased cost in energy that is taking a positive shift. Therefore, as much as the cost may seem high, the benefits are long run and worthwhile. This is an indication that zero net energy buildings are efficient. Works cited Architecture & Sustainable Development. 27th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture. Vol. 2. Louvain-La-Neuve: Presses Universitaires, 2011. Print. Attia, Shady. A Tool for Design Decision Making: Zero Energy Residential Buildings in Hot Humid Climates. Louvain-La-Neuve: Presses Universitaires, 2012. Print. Keeler, Marian. Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2009. Print. Papadopoulou, Elena V. M. Energy Management in Buildings Using Photovoltaics. London: Springer, 2012. Print. Rehfeld, Barry J. Home Sweet Zero Energy Home: What It Takes to Develop Great Homes That Won't Cost Anything to Heat, Cool or Light Up, Without Going Broke or Crazy. Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2011. Internet resource. Sioshansi, Fereidoon P. Energy, Sustainability and the Environment: Technology, Incentives, Behavior. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 2011. Internet resource. Voss, Karsten, and Eike Musall. Net Zero Energy Buildings: International Comparison of Carbon-Neutral Lifestyles. Basel: Birkha?user Verlag, 2011. Print. Read More