ABSTRACT
The Energy Performance Assessment Project (EPA), managed by ETSU on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry, has shown that solar design can produce significant energy savings in all forms and types of buildings, from houses to large offices and schools.
In houses, from all sectors of the market, an average provision of one quarter of the space heating energy was from solar energy. In the best case nearly 50% of the energy required for heating came from solar energy. Generally it added less than 5% to the cost of the house and the increase in the amenity of the houses made this cost acceptable to the occupants.
In non-domestic buildings, e.g. offices, schools, hospitals, and sports halls, the savings obtained by the use of daylight and ventilation were the most beneficial. Good design in one of the office buildings resulted in 50% of the lighting being from daylight and incurred no loss of amenity. Using solar radiation to induce or assist natural ventilation was very successful in two buildings and reduced capital and running costs associated with mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Solar design can save a considerable quantity of energy in all types of buildings and in doing so add considerably to the quality of the internal environment. Simple measures gave the greatest benefits at the least risk of failure.
