Whole System Design

This guide introduces 'whole system design' for residential buildings, emphasizing the integration of passive solar strategies, thermal mass, and reflective roofing to reduce energy consumption. It argues that careful planning can make green homes cost the same or less than conventional ones and highlights financing options like Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs).

• Whole system design, also known as 'green design' or 'integrated design,' focuses on the interconnections between systems, occupants, and the environment to create single solutions for multiple problems, such as energy savings, affordability, and indoor environmental quality.
• The guide proposes a roadmap for whole system design based on four priorities: prioritizing application over equipment, sizing supply based on actual demand, considering means before ends (interconnected systems), and choosing passive options before active, energy-intensive ones.
• Proper building orientation can reduce energy bills by up to 30 percent. In the northern hemisphere, living spaces should be oriented on an east-west axis with the longest walls and largest windows facing south to maximize solar heat gain and lighting.
• Thermal mass materials, such as concrete, stone, and adobe, regulate indoor temperatures by absorbing and slowly releasing heat and 'coolth.' A well-designed passive solar home can maintain an interior temperature of 68–70°F with minimal supplemental heating or cooling.
• Cool roof systems with high reflectance and thermal emittance can significantly reduce cooling energy needs. Research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory indicates that buildings with light-colored, reflective roofs require 40 percent less energy for cooling than those with dark roofs.
• Green roofs, which are covered in vegetation, provide passive cooling through plant respiration and reduce the 'heat island effect.' While they cost more upfront (starting at about $8 per square foot compared to $1.25 for traditional roofs), they typically last longer and offer environmental benefits like air purification and stormwater filtration.
• Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) are available to fund whole system design improvements. These may increase borrowing capacity due to lower operating costs or provide interest point reductions, often requiring a Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) report for qualification.

APA

Yardi, R., Archambault, T., Wang, K., & Eubank, H. (2004). Whole System Design. RMI. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB9WholeSystem.pdf

Chicago

Yardi, Ramola, Tomakin Archambault, Katherine Wang, and Huston Eubank. Whole System Design. RMI, 2004. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB9WholeSystem.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Yardi |first1=Ramola |last2=Archambault |first2=Tomakin |last3=Wang |first3=Katherine |last4=Eubank |first4=Huston |title=Whole System Design |publisher=RMI |date=2004 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB9WholeSystem.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yardi2004whole, author = {Yardi, Ramola and Archambault, Tomakin and Wang, Katherine and Eubank, Huston}, title = {{Whole System Design}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2004}, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_HEB9WholeSystem.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }