For example, a heating specialist could identify the major heat loss areas of a building so that an architect could modify the building design to reduce the capacity and capital cost of the heating system. Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat in northern New South Wales has been designed to make the most of natural breezes and shade from surrounding trees. Often, a team approach is not followed in design and construction projects. Professional inputs are often passed along a linear chain and are not subject to close questioning or the exchange of professional knowledge. This is not good practice, let alone best practice, as the results often show.
Many contracts simply pay consultants a percentage of the project budget.
This may not encourage energy efficient, environmentally sound or low-cost design. Purchasing Just as the design of a building locks in energy use, the type of equipment purchased locks in energy use for many years. Lifecycle estimates of costs and benefits, including environmental impacts, should be considered in selecting new appliances and equipment. In almost all existing facilities and operations, there is potential for substantial energy savings. To start, it makes sense to conduct an evaluation of existing energy use to identify major components.