Unit 1 Housing—Human Factors and Infl uences
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Another drawback is balancing the home energy level
needed with the cost involved.
Cogeneration in Residences
Cogeneration—also known as combined heat and
power (CHP), and total energy—is an effi cient, clean,
and reliable approach to generating power and thermal
energy from a single fuel source. CHP uses heat that is
otherwise waste from conventional power generation to
produce thermal energy. This energy provides cooling or
heating for industrial facilities, district energy systems,
and commercial buildings. The development of new
technologies that produce electricity makes this system
possible. These developments include photovoltaics, fuel
cells, and microturbines.
• A fuel cell is an equipment system that produces
electricity from the use of chemicals. Research is
underway to handle the waste products of heat
and water.
• A microturbine is a small turbine engine that
produces electricity.
Cogeneration systems are available to small-
scale users of electricity. Currently, modular
systems are useful for commercial and light
industrial applications. Several factors could
affect CHP growth to more residences. They
include the initial cost of buying a cogeneration
system, maintenance costs, and environmental
control requirements. CHP in residences makes
the occupants less dependent on electrical utility
companies to provide electricity. This can be helpful
especially in blackouts and during natural disasters
when electric power may not be available.
Select Renewable Materials
Interior designers can select materials that renew
themselves regularly. An example is bamboo, a wood
that is prevalent and can be used in fl ooring, furniture,
and other building components (Figure 4.8). Many
materials are renewable including wool.
When using wood materials, it is important
that the production of the material has certifi cation
as environmentally friendly. According to the Forest
Stewardship Council Certifi cation guidelines, achieving
environmentally friendly certifi cation requires certain
practices. These include
• harvesting the wood from the forest in a
sustainable way that leaves the forest in good
condition and able to grow additional wood
nostal6ie/Shutterstock.com
Figure 4.7 This wind system converts the power from
constant breezes to create electricity for nearby residents.
Karkas/Shutterstock.com
Figure 4.8 This bamboo floor serves well as a
renewable material, but is also quite durable in this dining
space.