Tag: HVAC

Why Passive Houses Require High-Quality Windows

Why Passive Houses Require High-Quality Windows

Why Passive Houses Require High-Quality Windows

06/01/23

“Why do passive houses require high-quality windows?”

Passive houses are incredibly comfortable homes with very efficient energy performance. Achieving this requires tackling multiple components of a home. One of these is the windows. In order to complete a passive house, the windows must meet a very strict energy efficiency performance standard that can be met only with high-quality windows. This is Why Passive Houses Require High-Quality Windows.

Why Wildfires Lead to Higher HVAC Usage

Why Wildfires Lead to Higher HVAC Usage

Why Wildfires Lead to Higher HVAC Usage

08/18/21

“Why do wildfires lead to higher HVAC usage?”

Wildfires release smoke and toxic particles into the atmosphere that make it more difficult to breathe. As a result, people turn on HVAC and other filtration units to ensure that the indoor environment is breathable. This is Why Wildfires Lead to Higher HVAC Usage. This phenomenon will only lead to more energy usage and strain on the grid at times when energy resources are scarce, so grid operators should take note of how to provide solutions.

Why Access to Cooling Must Become a Fundamental Right in Light of Climate Change

Why Access to Cooling Must Become a Fundamental Right in Light of Climate Change

Why Access to Cooling Must Become a Fundamental Right in Light of Climate Change

08/11/21

“Why must access to cooling be thought of as a fundamental right in light of climate change?”

It is easy to think that access to mechanized cooling is a privilege only for the people on this planet who can afford it. It takes up a lot of energy, can be very expensive, and may not be needed in cooler climates. However, as the heat waves taking place around the world this year shows, no one is safe and it may be a technology that can save lives. For this reason, people should start having a right to cooling in face of all of these struggles. This is Why Access to Cooling Must Become a Fundamental Right in Light of Climate Change.

Climatic Zones for Building Codes

Climatic Zones for Building Codes

Climatic Zones for Building Codes

09/06/20

“Why are climatic zones important for building codes?”

Building codes such as California’s Title 24 are vital for regulating the energy, ventilation, and material needs of the built environment. However, these things are dependent on the external environmental conditions. Buildings codes that would work for the Bangladeshi jungle may not be suitable for the Yukon mountains. As such, separate Climatic Zones may be defined in building codes that adjust the parameter requirements. This is why Climatic Zones for Building Codes are important.

Image credit http://www.pge.com

Why Rising Global Temperatures May Impact School Performance (And Why This Is an Equity Issue)

Why Rising Global Temperatures May Impact School Performance (And Why This Is an Equity Issue)

Why Rising Global Temperatures May Impact School Performance (And Why This Is an Equity Issue)

04/16/20

“Why may rising global temperatures impact school performance and why is this an equity issue?”

 

Working in hot conditions is always difficult. It makes it hard to concentrate, you need to take more water breaks, and the experience is just generally unpleasant. Studying and learning in a classroom is no different. Schools with less adequate resources are overwhelmingly more likely to have less-maintained and up-to-date facilities that lack air-conditioning systems. With the advent of climate change, temperatures are going to become much higher, and communities who do not have the resources to cope with this are going to be impacted more. This is Why Rising Global Temperatures May Impact School Performance (And Why This Is an Equity Issue).

 

Image credit http://www.ajc.com

How Stricter Building Codes Can Drive New Markets

How Stricter Building Codes Can Drive New Markets

How Stricter Building Codes Can Drive New Markets

03/11/20

“How can enforcing stricter building codes open up new markets?”

 

When building codes become stricter, many housing units will need retrofits or new appliances will need to be made. This can induce demand for a product and in effect open up new markets. For example, by requiring new residential buildings to have tighter wire meshes, these new models will become a hot commodity. This is How Stricter Building Codes Can Drive New Markets.

Why Urban Heat Resilience Needs to Be Equitable

Why Urban Heat Resilience Needs to Be Equitable

Why Urban Heat Resilience Needs to Be Equitable

10/31/19

“Why must equity take paramount importance when we design urban heat resilience?”

 

With the increase in average global temperatures and the densification of metropolitan centers, urban heat resilience will become a greater issue for the world. However, engineers and urban planners must keep in mind that the most vulnerable people in society, particularly seniors, young children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities and medical conditions will be the most susceptible to extreme heat. Resilience techniques that do not take these elements of society into account or ignore their needs will actively hurt them. For example, if all of the resources go to greening the wealthy districts of a city, then none will be left for people of lower-income areas. Since it is the duty of resilience professionals to ensure the safety of those most affected by climate change, it is only understandable Why Urban Heat Resilience Needs to Be Equitable.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality

08/19/19

“What exactly is indoor air quality?”

When air quality is talked about, usually the discussion is focused on the exterior environment. However, the air quality inside a building can fluctuate as well. The Indoor Air Quality, also known as IAQ, is contingent upon a multitude of factors, such as type of ventilation, exterior air quality, processes occurring inside the building, and building materials. IAQ can have drastic effects on its inhabitants.