Sustainability and Housing CHAPTER 4 Sustainability and Housing

Learning Outcomes Define sustainability and sustainable design. Summarize the importance of sustainable design. Identify the principles or goals of sustainable design. Determine reliable information sources for sustainable design. continued

Learning Outcomes Review examples of buildings with sustainable features. Summarize the responsibilities of designers for sustainable design.

Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Design Describes man interaction with natural resources Means people today should responsibly use natural resources to meet needs in a way that does not affect the ability of the next generation to meet their needs Expects no negative impact on the people, communities, or the environment continued

Defining Sustainability and Sustainable Design Incorporates sustainability into the built environment through use of materials for building and furnishing interiors operation of living spaces practices in the manufacture of materials and production of buildings

Principles of Sustainable Design Use less energy in the operation of buildings Use renewable energy sources Select materials from renewable sources Use recycled materials and/or materials that can be recycled Conserve water use Protect occupant health and safety Produce less waste

People must actively preserve the environment to continue to satisfy so many needs iko/Shutterstock.com What must happen to protect the environment for current and future generations?

Use Less Energy A major principle in sustainability is to use less energy in the operation of homes Equipment selection for energy efficiency includes home appliances space heating and cooling equipment water heating equipment lighting continued

Use Less Energy When evaluating the energy efficiency of a house, consider Orientation and landscaping in using the environment wisely Thermal resistance to block out cold or heat Lighting and windows to conserve energy Appliances by choosing energy-efficient models Ventilation to manage air movement continued

Use Less Energy Home automation offers a way for occupants to control and manage energy use Automated houses have an integrated and centrally controlled system based on computer technology, focusing on convenience energy management entertainment safety continued

Use Less Energy The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) helped the advancement of home automation by initiating The SMART HOUSE Project in the 1980s continued Mmaxer/Shutterstock.com

Use Less Energy Home automation incorporates many versions and features of “smart” technology continued Andy Dean Photography/Shutterstock.com

Use Less Energy Home automation adjusts the home to user needs by sensors and control systems that monitor the residence, and turn off the lights and lower the thermostat after everyone has gone to bed monitor burglar and fire alarms optimizes water-heater operation by anticipating hot water usage continued

Use Less Energy Home automation technologies require changes to building construction that impact house wiring and cabling for power and communications The development of this information structure allows broader participation in community activities access to educational, work, and entertainment resources

What are some advantages and disadvantages of home automation? stockcreations/Shutterstock.com

Use Renewable Energy Sources Renewable energy sources are those that replenish themselves regularly include sun, wind, water, geothermal energy to convert to electricity include energy resulting from a controlled burning process known as combustion Nonrenewable energy sources are depleting in supply and include oil and coal

Solar Energy Solar energy could supply most of the energy needed to heat and cool buildings Solar systems are expensive to install due to the high cost of the component parts Research and development is necessary to reduce costs, and improve reliability and performance of technologies continued

Solar Energy Active solar systems can heat space, heat water, or produce electricity Solar panels to heat water Solar panels to turn sunlight into electricity atm2003/Shutterstock.com continued

Solar Energy Photovoltaic (PV) systems are active solar systems that convert sunlight into electricity when sun shines on the panels and converts solar energy into electricity electricity is then stored in batteries batteries can store enough electricity to power a house for several days, but persistent overcast can deplete the supply continued

Solar Energy Some solar energy heating systems supply more energy than a home needs Net metering uses electric meters that turn backward when they generate electricity in excess of their demand allows home owners to sell excess electricity to a utility company or store it

Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy comes from the Earth’s core via volcanoes natural hot springs geysers Nature Diver/Shutterstock.com continued

Geothermal Energy The U. S. generates more geothermal electricity than any other country with California producing almost 90% of geothermal energy in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have partnered with industry to promote the use of geothermal heat pumps continued

Geothermal Energy Geothermal heat pumps use the Earth’s constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings Heat pumps transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in the summer visdia/Shutterstock.com continued

Geothermal Energy Advantages of geothermal energy include low cost in comparison to other fuels no emission of pollutants into the environment Disadvantages of open-loop systems include possible use of groundwater that contains chemicals requiring responsible disposal direct use of geothermal energy can only occur near the production site continued

Geothermal Energy Closed-loop geothermal systems help retain heat in the transportation of hot water over longer distances The geothermal loop is made of a tough, durable plastic that is buried underground and allows heat to pass through efficiently The fluid circulating through the loop is water or an environmentally safe antifreeze solution

Wind as Energy Early civilizations used wind energy and windmills to pump water and grind grain Most wind machines today are the horizontal-axis type with airplane-like propellers continued Stephen Bures/Shutterstock.com

Wind as Energy Groups of wind turbine generators form wind farms that can convert air motion to electrical current by feeding electrical current into utility lines or storage systems Storage systems keep the power flowing even when air is still

Cogeneration in Residences Cogeneration─or combined heat and power (CHP)─is an efficient, clean, and reliable approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source CHP uses heat that is waste from conventional power generation to produce thermal energy CHP provides cooling or heating for industrial facilities, district energy systems, and commercial buildings continued

Cogeneration in Residences New technologies under development to produce electricity include fuel cells microturbines photovoltaics See-Now/Shutterstock.com continued

Cogeneration in Residences CHP in residences makes the occupants less dependent on electrical utility companies to provide electricity Factors affecting CHP growth include initial purchase cost maintenance costs environmental control requirements

Select Renewable Materials Interior designers can select materials that are renewable—such as bamboo for flooring When choosing wood products, certification through the Forest Stewardship Council ensures all procedures and processes in the procurement and treatment of wood are environmentally-friendly

Use Recycled or Recyclable Materials Using recycled or recyclable materials (versus new) reduces the environmental impact of buildings and interiors an example is using recyclable materials in carpets Historic preservation is a key practice that promotes sustainability

Conserve Water Use Reducing water use is important in sustainability This toilet uses less water Photo Courtesy of Kohler

Protect Occupant Health and Safety To ensure good indoor air quality and protect occupant health and safety, housing and design professionals select nontoxic materials and substances including those with zero off-gassing low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Provision of ventilation and air circulation is important to indoor air quality

Produce Less Waste Designers, building professionals, and homeowners can produce less waste by determining the correct amount of materials for a project selecting recyclable materials

Features of Sustainable Buildings “Green” buildings use materials and techniques to conserve resources in construction and maintenance “Green” products conserve resources and utilize sustainable and recyclable materials Bamboo in flooring or steel in construction to replace wood, a limited commodity Today’s green-built homes are virtually indistinguishable from other homes continued

Features of Sustainable Buildings Sustainable design of buildings uses such green products as doors and windows siding and decking roofing heating, cooling, and hot water fixtures and appliances Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com

Resources for Producing Sustainable Design Numerous programs and organizations promote green and sustainable housing design Many provide certification showing houses have features that support the environment and sustainability, including the LEED rating system Ye Liew/Shutterstock.com

Examples of Sustainable Buildings Examples of buildings with sustainable features include Southface Eco Office and Resource Center Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) Earthship Housing

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center The Southface Energy Institute is a resource for home owners, and residential and commercial builders The Southface mission is to promote sustainable homes, workplaces, and communities continued

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center Southface headquarters showcase innovative building designs and techniques, featuring LEED-Platinum designation energy efficiency, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and accessibility recycled materials utility operating activities Southface Energy Institute, Atlanta, Georgia; Photos by Jonathan Hillyer continued

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center The roof features solar-electric shingles that are photovoltaic (PV), which means they convert sunlight into electricity resemble conventional fiberglass shingles supply part of the facility’s electrical needs The campus utilizes passive solar design and sunlight as a prominent light source year-round continued

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center Southface use of daylight strategies offsets the larger need for artificial lighting is balanced with light-monitoring sensors features exterior shades that block direct sunlight uses interior light shelves that bounce sunlight deep into the office continued

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center Southface use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling involves heat exchange, via a buried liquid-filled pipe in a loop, that uses the stable temperature of the earth’s interior an ultra-efficient heating and cooling system continued Slavo Valigursky/Shutterstock.com

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center Southface landscapes use principles of drought-tolerant landscaping use a rainwater catchment system for watering and flushing toilets uses recycled materials, such as wood-chip mulch and rubble stepping stones zstock/Shutterstock.com continued

Southface Eco Office and Resource Center Graywater is wastewater from washing machines, showers, and sinks not contaminated with human waste used for landscaping watering

Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) A Zero Energy Home (ZEH) produces and uses its own energy combines energy-efficient construction and appliances with commercially available renewable energy systems such as solar watering heating and electricity has zero-energy consumption from the utility company even though connected to an electrical grid continued

Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) Features of zero energy homes include climate-specific design passive solar heating and cooling energy-efficient construction energy-efficient appliances and lighting solar water heating small solar electric systems Uwe Landgraf/Shutterstock.com continued

Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) Advantages of a ZEH include improved comfort reliability energy security environmental sustainability

Earthship Housing Earthship housing is a type of self-sufficient housing that uses passive solar and earth-sheltered design uses recycled materials The form of these houses may not follow the angular dimensions people associate with traditional housing continued

Earthship Housing These houses look different from most common houses Earthship Biotecture, Taos, New Mexico continued

Earthship Housing Earthship houses are all different on the outside but share a number of features, including recycled building materials water harvesting contained sewage treatment solar/thermal heating and cooling solar and wind electric power food production

Designer Responsibilities for Sustainable Design Housing and interior design professionals have the responsibility to promote and use principles of sustainable design in their buildings and interiors Knowing and following the principles of sustainable designs will help maintain the environment now and for future generations

Sustainability means that present generations use environmental products and resources to meet their needs but also allows future generations to meet their needs. Sustainable design assures that buildings and interiors have less negative impact on the environment and conserve natural resources. continued

Principles of sustainable design include using less energy using renewable energy sources selecting materials from renewable resources Use recycled or recyclable materials conserving water use protecting occupant health and safety producing less waste. continued

Many resources exist to guide sustainable design including a number of certification programs and labeling systems. Professionals in housing-related and interior design careers have a responsibility to promote and use sustainable design practices in their work. continued

Knowledge of the certification programs and other practices that guide sustainable design is essential for all housing and interior design professionals.

Review How does sustainability differ from sustainable design? Sustainability describes human interaction with the resources in the earth’s environment while sustainable design incorporates sustainability into the built environment. Name the principles of sustainable design. use less energy; use renewable energy sources; select materials from renewable sources; use recycled/recyclable materials; conserve water; protect health/safety; produce less waste continued

Review How does home automation help control and manage energy? Home automation adjusts the home to user needs by sensors and control systems that monitor the residence. The system will turn off lights and lower the thermostat after residents go to bed, monitor burglar and fire alarms, and optimize water-heater operation. continued

Review How are renewable energy sources and nonrenewable energy sources different? Renewable sources replenish themselves while nonrenewable sources are depleting in supply. What is a photovoltaic system? an active solar system that converts sunlight into electricity continued

Review How do geothermal heat pumps heat and cool a building? They use the Earth’s constant temperatures to heat and cool buildings. Heat pumps transfer heat from the ground (or water) into buildings in winter and reverse the process in summer. What is cogeneration? combined heat and power (CHP); an efficient, clean, and reliable approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source continued

Review What are two factors that influence indoor air quality? off-gassing; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Name two features of sustainable buildings. use green materials and techniques to conserve resources in construction and maintenance; use green products that utilize sustainable and recyclable materials continued

Review What are three features of zero energy homes (ZEH)? (Name three.) climate-specific design, passive solar heating/cooling; energy-efficient construction, appliance, and lighting; solar water heating; small solar electric systems Name two features of Earthship housing. (Name two.) recycled building materials; water harvesting; contained sewage treatment; solar/thermal heating/cooling; solar and wind electric power; food production