Energy Efficient Building Practices: Part 2

At Nautilus Construction, we are working towards incorporating energy saving techniques which not only benefit the environment but also there are cost savings for you; the customer. The last blog we detailed: building with insulation, energy efficient windows and doors, solar energy integration and efficient heating, and ventilation. Today, we will explore sustainable building materials, smart building technologies, and water conservation.

Sustainable Building Materials:

Choosing materials for building is an important decision. Everything from production to disposal will impact the buildings environmental impact as well as costs.
Using recycled and reused materials like reclaimed wood and recycled class can add to design features and character to your home while also reducing the demand for new resources. Carbon Capturing Materials, like hempcrete and Ferrock, which are concrete alternatives can absorb carbon dioxide during the curing process. Lastly, choosing locally sourced materials reduces transportation distances and lowers the embodied energy of building materials.

Smart Building Technologies:

Smart building technologies are no longer a luxury but a necessity for creating resilient, efficient, and occupant centric spaces that meet the demands of the 21st century. Some examples of smart building technologies are Internet of Things (Iot) ;sensors embedded in the building to be the “eyes and ears” of everything for heating cooling to light levels. Another example is building automation systems (BAS) which operates as the “nervous system” of the building that allows owners to have one dashboard to regulate and adjust settings remotely. Other examples include: smart lighting, intelligent HVAC, and advanced surveillance for safety.

Water Conservation:

Every drop of water used in building has an energy cost associated with it. By conserving water, we directly reduce energy consumption, lower your bills, and shrink your carbon footprint. Some examples of water conservation to highlight are: high efficiency fixtures and appliances, smart water management technologies, and water reuse and recycling systems.

In conclusion, at Nautilus Construction we are committed to learning and practicing energy efficiency in our building practices. We look forward to growing in this area and adding these practices to our jobs.