October 2022
The building enclosure provides an environmental separation between the interior and exterior spaces and controls the transfer of heat, air, and moisture between these two unique environments.
Heat pump technology is changing the way single-family residences are being heated and cooled. Heating systems that are reliant on gas or electric resistance heating can be changed to a heat pump and meaningfully reduce carbon emissions. While most heat pumps can be used in residential retrofits and new residential construction in Washington State climate zones, the cold weather limitations of heat pumps may need to be considered in some building locations to ensure the unit installed can meet optimal heating temperatures during cold winter months. In this lecture, key takeaways from a cold climate heat pump study performed by RDH Building Science Inc. for Fortis BC Inc. will be discussed.
A human-centric lighting framework will be introduced and key human responses will be discussed. The goal is to engage future architects and designers in understanding the implications of lighting design decisions on building occupants.
The lecture will navigate the complex realm of net-zero targets and, using precedents, will show the implications of designing a building to target net-zero energy consumption and/or carbon emissions.