Energy

Built By DAO pursues energy innovation through efficiency, renewables, and smart building practices to achieve net-zero and beyond.

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⚡ Energy Overview

🏠 Efficiency	☀️ Renewables	🔋 Storage	🎛️ Smart
Reduce demand	Generate clean	Store for resilience	Optimize use

🎯 Goal: Net-zero energy operation for all DAO buildings

🌍 Impact: Reduce carbon emissions and operating costs

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🏠 Efficiency First

🏠 Energy Efficiency

The Priority

Efficiency → Renewables → Storage → Grid

Reduce demand first, then generate clean energy to meet remaining needs.

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Building Envelope

Component	Standard	Why It Matters
🏠 Walls	R-20+	Reduce heat transfer
🏠 Roof	R-38+	Major heat loss area
🪟 Windows	U-0.30 or better	Comfort + efficiency
🚪 Doors	Insulated + sealed	Prevent infiltration
🔌 Air sealing	<3 ACH50	Stop air leakage

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High-Efficiency Systems

System	Standard
🌡️ Heating	Heat pump (COP 3.0+)
❄️ Cooling	Heat pump or mini-split
💧 Water heating	Heat pump or solar
💡 Lighting	100% LED
🔌 Appliances	Energy Star

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Passive Design

Strategy	Benefit
☀️ Solar orientation	Heating/cooling load
🌳 Shading	Reduce summer cooling
🌬️ Natural ventilation	Reduce AC use
☀️ Daylighting	Reduce lighting energy
🌡️ Thermal mass	Temperature stability

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Retrofit Approach

Building Condition	Approach
🏚️ Uninsulated	Deep energy retrofit
📊 Partially upgraded	Targeted improvements
✅ Recent construction	System optimization

☀️ Renewables

🔋 Storage

🎛️ Smart Systems

🎯 Net Zero

📊 Metrics

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📊 Energy Pathway Example

Typical Single-Family Home:

Stage	Action	EUI Impact
🏠 Baseline	Existing home	75 kBtu/sf
🔧 Envelope	Air seal + insulate	-30%
🌡️ HVAC	Heat pump	-25%
💧 Water	Heat pump WH	-5%
💡 Lighting	All LED	-5%
🔌 Appliances	Energy Star	-5%
☀️ Solar	Rooftop PV	Net zero

Result: Net-zero energy operation

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⚡ Energy Excellence

1. 🏠 Maximize efficiency first

2. ☀️ Add renewable generation

3. 🔋 Include storage for resilience

4. 🎛️ Optimize with smart systems

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🔗 Related Pages

🌱OverviewBuilding StandardsConstructionOur Commitment