Description
Course Description
Many steps can be taken, both during the design process and after structures are completed, to reduce the use of energy. These include passive steps like insulating and tightening the building envelope. In line with this is installing more efficient doors, windows and skylights which are normally holes in those envelopes. In the design phases, choices can be made while positioning buildings on site, to strategically allow or preclude solar gain, admit or deny natural ventilation and maximize or minimize shade as needed for different seasons. After all has been accomplished that can be done to passively minimize energy use, active technologies can be installed to recapture energy or generate power for internal use or storage. This course encourages and examines the impact of decisions and methods to conserve energy. Because all such actions ultimately result in a desirable preservation of natural resources.
Hours: 6
