Title: Sustainability: The Principles of Energy Appropriateness in Architecture

Intuitively society knows industrial tools should not be used for non industrial applications. For example, using a sledge hammer for finishing nails is inappropriate; it’s an industrial tool for a non industrial applications. Likewise using a combine for mowing lawns or a fire hose for watering gardens are both industrial solutions for non industrial problems. We actually have civil laws preventing the use of industrial processes/systems in non industrial applications; for example we penalize people for travelling at aircraft speeds on highways, such high speeds can be seen as industrial grade velocity on roadways made for the non industrial velocity of wheeled traffic. Yes, even at the lowest levels of competency we know intuitively what is appropriate and yet it has completely eluded society that the 1750°C (3400°F) industrial grade temperature generated at the burner of a residential furnace is entirely inappropriate for the non industrial grade temperatures needed for heating people and spaces which ranges between 27°C to 38°C (80°F to 100°F). 

Overview for continuing education purposes:
This presentation will introduce the, “Principles of Energy Appropriateness in Architecture” by illustrating the human factors in thermal comfort; sources of appropriate temperatures and what is the true cost to society when using industrial temperatures for conditioning people and buildings.