Impacts of climate change on the energy performance of buildings in the United States
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Date
1996
Authors
Loveland, Joel
Brown, G. Z.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Center for Housing Innovation, University of Oregon
Abstract
This study uses computer simulation techniques to assess the impacts of climate change
on building energy demand. This analysis allows for the characterization of the potential
for reducing the energy use of buildings in a quantitative manner and therefore
improving building design. Six cities and five building types representing a range of
climates and building occupancies were modeled. Three design strategies for improving
energy performance under warmed conditions are compared to a basecase.
The study concludes that annual cooling loads will increase at a much greater rate than
heating loads will decrease; The timing, magnitude and duration of short term changes,
peaks, is as large a concern as the sheer magnitude of the large annual changes in demand
due to Global Warming; new methods of resource acquisition will have to be
implemented to respond to the new energy resource demands; and a new set of
incremental measures, conservation targets, will have to be developed to support new
resources.
The results of the study indicate that research and demonstration of regional, building
unit area weighted, zero energy growth, energy demand targets should be developed.
These regional energy conservation targets should emphasize the saving of lost
opportunity resources in the design of the most permanent of the building systems, the
building's exterior skin geometry, assembly and interiors. The study indicates that the
clearest specific target for reducing energy use under Global Warming is the design of
windows. The research, design, and demonstration of windows that act as an integrated
lighting system with the electric lighting; admitting daylight, view, and cooling
ventilation without admitting sunlight; should be a major thrust for research and
development of the 1990's.
Description
58 p. Publishing date unknown, but no later than 1996. Revised ed. of Impacts of Climate Change on the Energy Performance of Buildings in the United States, 1989.
Keywords
Buildings -- Energy conservation, Climatic changes, Climate change