ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a simple approach to reaching low energy
and low carbon buildings and communities. At this stage we are
not concerning ourselves with definitions of net-zero energy or
carbon. These definitions will follow in Chapters 7 and 8. The
following approaches are universal and can be applied to projects
of all sizes and varying complexity. They are comprehensive-
inclusive of all possible strategies, prioritized-cost effective,
and able to achieve net-zero energy and net-zero carbon levels
of performance for any building or community. In later chapters,
where case studies are reviewed, we’ll see how each approach
has been applied in practice. Figures 6.1 and 6.3 illustrate the
approaches as a sequence of steps. The order of the six steps is
important-too often, design teams jump ahead to working on
efficient systems and renewable energy, and then spend much effort
and cost on these systems to compensate for missed opportunities
in the initial steps.
