Posts Tagged ‘buildings’
Florida’s New Energy Code
Well, the 2010 Florida Building Code becomes active this March. Here is a look at the energy conservation requirements as they relate to architects. This first blog will address the Residential Code, the second will address the Energy Code for Commercial Buildings, the third blog will feature suggested drawing notes architectural drawings regarding the residential energy code, and last but not least, the fourth blog will include suggested drawing notes for commercial buildings. You can access the new Florida Energy Code at: www.ecodes.biz/ecodes_support/free_resources/2010Florida/Energy/10FL_Energy.html The general intent of the new code is to require Florida residential buildings to be 20% more energy efficient than previous dwellings. I suspect future codes will push for even more energy efficient homes from here on out until we can’t possibly offer better buildings (zero energy buildings are actually getting built in the US now and technology will likely make such things more affordable in the coming years). Once again, air handlers are not allowed in attics (402.1.2.2). If you look at the definition of attic, spray foam ” attics” are not counted as attics since they are within the air barrier and thermal barrier of the building. While there are exceptions, the basics ...
Using the ground for Geothermal in Florida
When the ground gets used for storing and discharging temperature, the whole energy transfer becomes pretty complex. Below is a great schematic I found on a NASA website describing global warming. Among other things, this illustration shows all the energy transfers that effect the upper surface of the ground. With respect to geothermal air conditioning, we would add to this energy diagram with our piping system of course. [caption id="attachment_150" align="aligncenter" width="478" caption="Energy Transfer at earth's surface (from NASA)"][/caption] This illustration was produced to help explain global warming. Notice anything strange? As a mechanical engineer, we were taught in engineering school to define boundaries of whatever we are studying and include all energy within the boundary and crossing the boundary. So I am calling attention to energy transfer from the center of the earth the the earth's crust. It is not represented in the above illustration. I have not found any information on this subject that a non-astro-geophysicist type like me could understand, but that doesn't mean it isn't important. If any readers out there can enlighten us on the core of the earth's exact contribution to soil temperatures, please do. Anyway, ...
Why hire an engineering consultant?
Lawyers, and doctors advertise to the general public. In turn people learn more about them as professions. For some reason, consulting engineers remain obscure in society. So here is my own advertisement for our profession: Engineers solve specific problems for people by combining science, business, and economics. Dictionaries don't even know this. Many college graduates with engineering degrees are left to figure this out for themselves. Now you know it! Building engineers work with architects and contractors in order to help create the environments that life takes place in. As much as people love the outdoors; most of life takes place indoors. Children are conceived indoors (for the most part), children are born indoors, children are schooled indoors, we eat and sleep indoors, etc, etc. You are probably indoors right now reading this. So, creating the environment that life takes place in is a pretty big deal. I consider it an honorable, rewarding, and valuble endeavor. What do consulting engineers do for you? We sell our time to you. It takes time to prepare blueprints, specifications etc. Something that comes packaged with our time is experience. Someone who has spent 4 or 5 years studying ...
programmable thermostats
[caption id="attachment_31" align="alignright" width="112" caption="Guy Van Meulebrouck"][/caption] I just found a 2010 survey from Lawrence Berkely National Laboratories regarding how programmable thermostats actually wind up being used by occupants. The study reported a survey of 81 residential thermostats and found the following: • 45% were in hold • 30% were programmed • 10% were manual thermostats (not programmable) • 5% were off • 10% operational status was not visible in the picture. The complications involved in each particular thermostat's programming are evident here. I envision a thermostat in the future that uses user friendly computer software and then transfers information to the thermostat via a USB memory stick. The same innovation would be welcome for sprinkler timers too! I used to specify Honeywell T7350's as a general practice. These which are challenging to program correctly due to the immense features. It took me two tries to get my own T7350 programmed right. The local Honeywell representative assured me that he pre-programmed the thermostats himself before he delivered them to jobsites. Great idea. He welcomed me adding information on my drawings as to specific settings that were needed for the building. Guy Van Meulebrouck PEconsulting engineerguy@guyvanmconsulting.com10947 ...
The Case for Geo-thermal Pool Heating for a Clubhouse
Solar pool heating is relatively simple and effective. I was trained in engineering school to design solar heating systems in 1982 but never was asked to design one. I was asked; however, to remove three solar systems which owners had gave up on (mainly because the controls/system designs were not made by consulting engineers and lacked features that college professors and vendors didn't know about). So to answer your question, I could design and produce bid documents for a solar pool heating system for you. Depending on the quality of blueprints you have available for the pool area and the existing pool heating system, and the electrical power in the area, I could produce a set of bid/permit documents for as low as $2,850. Field work to verify things would be extra. A field trip to observe the construction is advised and I could bill the travel time at 40% of my regular billing rate for that. I think this is a very good time to consider geo-thermal. For applications with simultaneous heating and cooling loads (clubhouses/ restaurants/apartments/hotels) geothermal systems can outperform any other system available. Here are some notes regarding geo-thermal applications for your clubhouse/pool: 1.Your clubhouse air conditioning system is worn out ...
