{"id":340,"date":"2011-01-10T17:22:08","date_gmt":"2011-01-10T22:22:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/climaticdesign.net\/?page_id=340"},"modified":"2013-12-02T11:37:28","modified_gmt":"2013-12-02T16:37:28","slug":"cd-reduces-energy-consumption","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/climaticdesign.net\/?page_id=340","title":{"rendered":"CD Reduces Energy Consumption"},"content":{"rendered":"

Climatic Design of Buildings
\nCan Reduce Consumption of Non-Renewable Fossil Fuels<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

MORTEZA KASMAEI
\nSeptember 2008<\/span><\/p>\n

Abstract<\/strong>
\nAlthough the use of climatic design (CD) systems in achieving comfort conditions in buildings in different climate types has been addressed for over three decades, the importance of CD can be only gauged today in the context of climate change and the contribution of buildings in the emission of greenhouse gases. This study of climatic data from 216 meteorological stations was completed in the year 1990, with the primary objective of classifying Iran\u2019s climatic zones and preparing guidelines for adapting residential buildings to local climate, thereby reducing the period of mechanical heating\/cooling\/ventilation during the year.\u00a0 The significant findings of the study have a direct bearing on the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuel in buildings, and therefore on the emission of greenhouse gases contributing to consequent climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Climatic Design Traditions in Iran<\/strong>
\nIt is indeed a paradox that contemporary Iran is among the world\u2019s highest per capita consumer of energy in buildings, whereas its architectural and urban heritage is living proof of the fact that ancient Iran was one of the world\u2019s leading nations in the development and use of ingenious systems that made use of available natural resources to create comfortable living conditions in its buildings and cities, often in very hostile climates, in a sustainable manner. Examples of traditional buildings and cities, demonstrating these systems exist in almost every part of Iran\u2019s varied geography and its accompanying wide-ranging climatic zones. \u00a0This has been achieved through a highly sensitized, almost intuitive understanding of natural forces and respect bordering on veneration, for the natural environment and its complex ecosystem, to maximize the utilization of natural resources in the design of buildings and urban systems, without interfering with the natural environment system. In, what may be termed as \u2018Climatic Design\u2019 (CD), the use of fossil fuel for heating and cooling has been minimized significantly in traditional buildings and urban areas to a very small period of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Climatic Design in Buildings in the Context of Climate Change<\/strong>
\nThis paper reports the findings of a study conducted in the year 1990, using meteorological data from 216 meteorological stations in Iran to show that Climatic Design (CD) which includes appropriate building orientation, size and location for windows, adequate thermal properties of exterior walls, openings, roof and floor (in short the building envelope) for different climate zones, can reduce energy consumption in buildings, achieving energy savings of up to 70% annually. Implemented in one of the harshest climates of Iran, CD reduced the duration of annual heating and cooling needs of a residential building from 77% of the year (6504 Hours) to only 13% of the year (1128 Hours).<\/span><\/p>\n

This study was unique for its time and its importance has only increased since, as well as its relevance to one of the most outstanding issues today \u2013combating climate change; in view of the recent understanding of factors contributing to climate change and the urgency needed to combat this phenomenon as well as to adapt to it. The United Nations has officially acknowledged that climate change is a serious and long-term challenge with potentially irreversible consequences. This statement was first acknowledged globally \u2013 (almost globally, since America backed out as a signatory) in the Kyoto Treaty in December 1997, for combating climate change by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. The world has come a long way since and in the years, 2007\/2008 Climate change and its related issues are among the topmost priorities of the UNDP, as dealt in the Human Development Report 2007\/2008<\/a>, MDG 2007<\/a> report<\/a><\/em> as well as in the World Development Indicators (WDI)-2007<\/a><\/em> by the World Bank. The WDI 2008 report<\/a><\/em> of the World Bank states that buildings contribute to 15.3% of the total Greenhouse Gas Emissions, more than transport, which has a share of 13.8%. The report also quotes the finding of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007, that carbon dioxide, which constitutes the bulk of greenhouse gases, with 77% concentration of the total emissions, has increased one-third faster in the last decade than in the last fifty years. \u2018Climate change poses risks for the environment and for development in most economies, disproportionately affecting those with the lowest capacity to adapt to such impacts. That makes climate change a development issue critical to poverty reduction (and access to information and awareness and a knowledge based approach to sustainable development). It is also an environmental issue vital to sustaining growth and preserving the eco-system. Countries need measures to mitigate it \u2013 and to adapt to its unavoidable outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The growing awareness of the role of buildings in climate change is paralleled by increasing attention being paid to energy saving in buildings. A new European directive provides for the application of minimum standards to energy saving in buildings. In the USA, a survey report<\/a><\/em>, of responses by Mayors of 134 cities in April and May 2007, shows that nine in ten cities in the USA, require or intend to require in the coming year that new public buildings be energy efficient, healthy and environmentally sustainable and that more than three in four cities are encouraging the private sector to build buildings that are energy efficient, healthy and use sustainable building techniques. Two-thirds of the cities has an individual in the government who is responsible on a full time or part time basis for the city\u2019s climate\u00a0 protection activities; more than nine in ten of the cities consider efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of their broader efforts to address public health concerns such as improving air quality or encouraging active living; and in nearly three of four cities, the Mayor has reached out to other mayors, elected county officials and other leaders to sign on to the Climate Protection Agreement or take action on climate protection. The report states that \u2018By far buildings account for the highest proportion of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions; and consequently they represent the greatest opportunity for obtainable energy efficiency improvements. To meet this opportunity, specifically, 60% of American cities currently have a policy for energy efficient, healthy and environmentally efficient buildings, and another 28% will adopt a policy in the next year. Nearly three of four of the cities have changed or are in the process of changing their residential and commercial building codes and\/or ordinances to encourage construction of new buildings that are energy efficient, healthy, and environmentally sustainable. Eighty seven percent of the cities require that public buildings undergoing major rehabilitation be energy efficient, healthy, and environmentally sustainable.<\/span><\/p>\n

A study report published by BRANZ<\/a><\/em> in 2007, on the\u00a0 \u2018Assessment of the need to adapt buildings in the New Zealand to the impacts of Climate Change\u2019 reports that residential buildings provide the greatest opportunity for adaptation for climate change, followed by non residential (institutional and commercial) buildings and then by civil engineering structures. The study identifies that Thermal Comfort is directly related to energy consumption that not only affects climate change, but is also bound to increase energy consumption when climate changes occur. The main building components that can contribute to thermal comfort in buildings, while contributing to energy efficiency are<\/span><\/p>\n