It’s obvious that a home is composed of many different systems, including building envelope, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical, and finishes. What’s not as obvious is the way in which the functions of these systems relate to each other. Changing one system can have a positive or negative impact on other systems, and it’s essential that designers and builders understand these inter-relationships to provide quality homes. To achieve integrated systems design, homes need to be designed and built using a carefully engineered strategy that considers the relationship between the functions of every system in a home.
For example, let’s think of two main systems of the house: the building envelope—which includes the walls, roof, foundation, insulation, and windows—and the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. Because part of the building envelope’s function is to create a thermal barrier, changes to the envelope will impact how much heating or cooling is required inside the home.
The building envelope is one of the main systems of the house that defines a significant part of the heating and cooling loads. (Of course, other factors, like internal gains and mechanical ventilation also define heating and cooling loads, but for this discussion we’ll concentrate on the building envelope.) Improving the building envelope with increased insulation and high performance windows with low-emissivity coating, for example, will reduce the heating and cooling loads. Consequently, the homeowner’s utility costs will also be reduced. In addition, with a reduced heating and cooling load, the mechanical system can be downsized, saving up-front costs related to the mechanical system. The systems will also be easier to integrate into the house because of reduced duct sizes. And, the downsized system will fit better into most structures.
There are no shortcuts to integrated systems design—it starts at the design and planning phases, and has to be carried through to the field. Design involves careful analysis of the relationships between the functions of all the systems in a house. In the planning phase, it’s important to develop a complete set of drawings, details, and specifications that include the foundation, walls, roof, and mechanical systems. These drawings are an important tool for both the builder and field crew to understand how the systems fit together, and what details need to be followed in order to successfully integrate the systems of the home.
Bottom line? Back your good intentions up with deliberate planning, and the benefits can consistently increase the quality and performance of your homes, assist in controlling cost, and increase customer satisfaction.
Below: The systems in the basement, first floor, attic, and roof are interrelated. Developing a carefully considered systems integration plan will increase a home's performance.
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