October 31, 2024
Project Management

Planning considerations for high-energy efficiency building projects

Max Mayer

To achieve a building design which accomplishes high-energy efficiency with a low-carbon footprint and low ongoing costs, there are key elements to consider.

In this article, Max Mayer, Senior Project Manager at WT, details the building considerations all stakeholders should address when undertaking high-energy efficiency projects.

Regulating bodies encourage the Passivhaus standard, a tried and tested quality assurance standard for energy efficient buildings. Additionally, planning projects to meet certification requirements like Homestar and Greenstar, as well as H1 compliance, involves rigorous building considerations.

Max Mayer, Senior Project Manager at WT, details the building considerations all stakeholders should address when undertaking high-energy efficiency projects. These can be categorised into layout, envelope, and plant elements, and used as a guide.

Important note: It is highly recommended to include services engineers early in the design of a building to avoid afterthought solutions and potential conflicts such as apex height restrictions, common area impacts, loss of plant efficiency or noise emission issues.

Important advice when considering heating/cooling systems

There are many studies available, and continue to be updated, that demonstrate actual demand, in various use scenarios, while being able to cater for peak demand. Design to peak and application of standard diversity factors such as 0.8 is not a useful way to design. Systems based on water as a medium for the transport of energy from the source to the user is advised. Water has the property of being a good thermal conductor, non-toxic, and non-reactive with the Ozone layer and if released, it does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Summary

This guide includes just some of the considerations to be aware of when embarking on a high-energy efficiency building project. Early-stage collaboration between designers and experienced installers ensures compliant and cost-effective project execution and improved energy efficiency throughout a building’s life.

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We’d love to hear from you to discuss this topic further and to answer any questions you may have, please contact Max at max.mayer@wtpartnership.co.nz Discover more about WT including our Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Infrastructure and Advisory Services at wtpartnership.co.nz

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