Optimal Building Orientation and Insulation
The ORAU CSE building has been optimized for energy efficiency. The design reduces anticipated energy use by more than 23 percent as compared with a typical building. This savings is a result of the integration of various building systems, including the siting, exterior “skin,” HVAC systems and lighting systems. Following are other aspects of the building that enhance energy efficiency.- The building is oriented on an east-west axis to take advantage of solar orientation: maximizing solar heat gain in the winter on the south side and, with the combined use of shading, minimizing solar heat gain in the summer.
- Shading provided by overhangs helps reduce the heat gain from the higher summer sun, as does the white roof, with its high solar reflectance index.
- Additional energy savings is achieved by the use of high-performance glazing. The exterior skin of the building is protected further by a high insulation level, including a continuous layer of wall insulation applied outside the wall studs.
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