Tag Archive for: energy

50 Letters From Architects: Our Contribution

This is part of a series of blog postings of Schmidt Associates architects’ responses to the American Institute of Architects (AIA)-Indianapolis invitation to write letters to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard. Architects submitted big or small ideas to improve the urban built environment for Indianapolis and were on display at The Hall during June and July […]

What is an Energy Model?

Engineers always promise to create an energy model for each project — but what do they mean and why should you care? What should you expect at each phase? Like the rest of the facility design, energy modeling grows in detail and complexity at each stage of project development. Design Performance Modeling during concept and […]

Fourth in the Series: How to Balance Your Geothermal Design with Your Building Load

The demand for heating, cooling and hot water—what architects and engineers call “building load”—is constantly changing. Note that balancing building loads is very different if you are designing a hospital versus an office building, school, or condominium.  But even buildings used 24 hours a day, seven days a week, have fluctuations in demand for heating […]

Third in the Series: What are the Critical Steps in Designing a Geothermal System

With a growing trend toward sustainability, Schmidt Associates has received an increasing number of inquiries about geothermal heating systems. We are also designing geothermal systems for a variety of projects. This is the third in a series explaining the technology. Design procedure is critical when you are selecting a geothermal system to provide heating, cooling, […]

Second in the Series: What are the Different Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps?

Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) can be classified into four basic types.  Choosing the right one depends on the available land area and the soil and rock type at the installation site. The design team will analyze these factors to determine the most economical choice for installing the ground loop. Closed-Loop Systems In closed-loop systems, […]

Energize and Save $

What if I told you that utility companies will pay you to reduce your utility bill? Is that too good to believe? Well, believe it! “Energizing Indiana” offers energy efficiency programs that bring savings to communities across the state. With programs for homes, schools, businesses, and commercial facilities, Energizing Indiana provides education, tools, and incentives […]