Energy Savings - Building Configuration
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Global Summary Building Summary Design Options Materials Stone Glass and Plaster Metals Earth Wood Strawbale Planted Roofs Ventilation Energy Savings Building Config. Room Layout Solar Orientaion Cooling/Heating Water Heaters Water Conservation Landscaping Rainwater Waste Water Readings Examples
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A building's shape, solar orientation, interior layout, and size are factors
that affect its energy use and its sustainability. In cold
climates building form should be compact to reduce heat loss caused by
winter winds and should be elongated on the east west axis to maximise
solar gain. The length of the roof overhangs for summer shading is a critical
factor. The correct length varies with distance and latitude.
In a humid hot climate, like Montréal in the summer, heat gain through
windows should be minimised and ventilation and shading maximised.
Air movement should be maximized with cross ventilation. Increasing the
surface area by making the building taller or longer increases the area
of heat transfer. This is inefficient in winter, although desirable in
hot weather.
an example of calculated overhang [click image for more detailed information]
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