What is Systems Integration?A home has many different building systems:
- Structural envelope
- Mechanical systems (plumbing, electrical, etc)
- Insulation
- Exterior and interior finishing
These systems relate to each other in that a change in one system can have a good or bad effect on another. For example, the building envelope, which includes the walls, roof, foundation, insulation and windows, protects the interior environment from the elements. Because part of the building envelope's function is to create a thermal barrier, changes to it will impact another system -- the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning mechanical system (HVAC), which determines how much heating or cooling is required inside the home. An integrated design can make the difference between an energy-efficient house and an inefficient one, or healthy indoor air quality versus poor "IAQ." Designers and builders need to understand these relationships to provide quality homes.
Systems integration must begin at the design and planning phases of construction and be carried through to the end. Fast 'n' Quik construction it's not. Design involves careful analysis of the relationships between the functions of all the systems in a house. In planning, it's important to develop a complete set of drawings, details, and specifications, which includes the foundation, walls, roof, and mechanical systems, that illustrates the results of the planning.
There isn't much room for communication problems when you're working with a systems integration approach. Your complete set of drawings and documents will be essential to communicating to the team. It's not enough to just have them, but they need to be easy to understand and use in order to make them workable. These tools are all a part of the systems integration process, and the builder and crew will need them in order to carry out the plan in the field.
If you're an innovative thinker who's open to using new materials and methods, you'll want to think about the relationships between these new elements and the other components in the home. This kind of thought process will allow you to make informed decisions. A finished basement, for example, could become a haven for mold if you haven't used water management strategies in the foundation system.
Understanding the Science
The key to a systems integration approach is to understand how the parts work and how they work together. It comes down to building science. Not all science is about test tubes and microscopes. Building scientists are more likely to wear a hard hat than a lab coat, and they study the many components of a home, from insulation to structural framing to ductwork -- and the inter-relation of one system on the performance of another. By understanding new technologies and their challenges, while taking into account the forces that impact a home -- gravity, wind, water, air heat and occupants -- building scientists helps to make a home as best built as possible.
In the past, building scientists solved performance issues for drafty homes that were too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, and leaked in a rainstorm. Today, contemporary homes use complex designs and new construction materials that can lead to challenges in the field. Building performance issues can result, such as drywall cracks, leaky roofs, mold growth, and erratic utility costs that the homeowner will be sure to notice. Understanding building science ultimately leads to greater benefits for the homeowner.
Smart Home, Smart Homeowner
Now that you understand the importance of systems integration, you can plan to incorporate it into your new home. The home you build will have a building envelope that complements your HVAC system. The envelope will probably have increased insulation, and you may have also chosen high performance windows that reduce the heating and cooling loads. Through these actions, you reduced the home's heating and cooling load, so you have a smaller, less expensive furnace or cooling system -- and your duct system is also smaller and easier to integrate into the overall structure. The result? Sure, you'll have lower utility bills month by month, and, you'll likely enjoy a home that's more comfortable and healthier to live in, too.
For more information:
A Systems Approach to Building, a video from the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing's website: Video
About Systems Engineering Research, an article from the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America website: Article
House as a System, an article from E-Star's website: Article
The Whole Building Design Guide:
Website: www.wbdg.org/
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