Building Envelope

"Green" building is becoming mainstream. Faced with escalating energy costs, increased awareness of the depletion of our natural resources, and the ill-effects of poor indoor air quality, a movement is growing among building industry professionals and homeowners to approach residential construction with a primary view toward energy conservation, alternative energy generation, and the employment of sustainable, non-toxic materials. This is the first Article of a multi-Article series summarizing the various quidelines currently in the marketplace and analyzing how they can be applied in the context of the renovation of a brownstone or other urban townhouse. 

Windows, skylights and doors can make up 10% to 30% of the building envelope and can contribute up to 30% of heat loss and gain. Learn how to evaluate the different energy-saving characteristics of windows and doors, skylights, daylighting and tubular solar skylights to make the best energy savings choice for replacement windows, and how to increase the efficiency of existing windows.

Become familiar with different types of ventilation systems, now they can improve the indoor air environment and be used effectively to reduce heating and cooling loads.

Depleting potable water supplies due to over-development, global warming, and industrial and agricultural pollution are leading to water shortages.  In addition, wasted water in NYC flows into the already overtaxed sewer system.  This article describes the many measures you can implement to conserve water when renovating your brownstone, and smaller scale, high impact changes that can be made without major renovations. 

Save energy and lower your utility bills. Learn the basics of heat gain and loss, and how to prevent it.