Conservation and Environmental Design and Construction Chapter 10 Conservation and Environmental Design and Construction

Energy-Efficiency Design Links for Chapter 10 Energy-Efficiency Design Solar Energy Design Passive Solar Systems Active Solar Systems Related Web Sites

Energy-Efficient Design Environmentally friendly relates to materials that are recycled, from managed farms or earthen materials Be sure to use non-toxic and low-toxic materials for safer buildings

Energy-Efficient Design Goals of environmental programs Conserve natural resources Preserve the earth’s ozone layer Create a healthier living environment Make housing more economical Find better building materials and construction methods

Energy Codes The purpose of code is to regulate the design and construction of exterior and interior materials and equipment Exterior envelope is made up of elements of a building that enclose conditioned spaces through which thermal energy transfers to or from the exterior

Energy-Efficient Construction Caulking - Filling in small seams or joints to reduce air drafts Vapor Retarders - Designed to keep exterior moisture from the walls and insulation Most codes require 6-mil plastic over earth All seams must be lapped and sealed Air-to-air exchanger needed for air circulation

Energy-Efficient Construction Radiant Barriers - Reduce attic temperatures by stopping heat from radiating through the attic Insulation - Saves energy costs and makes home temperature more comfortable by reducing air infiltration and heat loss

Insulation Thermal Resistance - The ability of materials to slow heat transfer and measured as R-value R-30 for ceiling R-19 for floors R-11 to R-19 for walls

Types of Insulation Loose-Fill - Normally made of fibers or granules and blown into cavities and areas Batts and Blanket - Strips of insulation made of fiberglass or cotton fibers Rigid Insulation - Fibrous or plastic foam sheets of varying thicknesses

Types of Insulation Foam-in-Place - A spray-in foam with a high R-value made of lcynene Insulated Windows - Using a gas or insulated glass to increase the R-value Argon - Colorless and odorless gas Low-E - A transparent coating on the glass Rated with a U-value (1/U = R)

Energy-Efficient Construction

Solar Energy Design Using sunlight to produce useful heat energy Passive solar uses no mechanical devices to retain, store, and radiate solar heat Active solar uses mechanical devices to absorb, store, and use solar heat Be sure to check local codes before designing any solar unit in a building

Roof Overhang 2 Winter sunlight that is lower in the sky helps warm the home Summer sunlight is blocked from entering the glass and creating solar energy

Passive Solar Systems Solar rays enter the house and are absorbed in structural mass during the day and then released at night Materials may include: Metal — Concrete Water — Masonry

Passive Solar Systems South Facing Glass - Heat created directly by sun Clerestory windows provide light and heat to second floor Skylights are placed on the south slope of the roof and assist in warming in winter

Passive Solar Systems Thermal Storage Walls - Walls constructed of heat-absorbing material Trombe wall is installed a few inches from a south wall and heat is pushed up with cool air from below Dark water-filled drums are heated with sunlight during the day and heat is released at night

Passive Solar Systems Roof Ponds - Containers filled with antifreeze are placed on a flat roof Insulation allows the heated antifreeze to radiate to the living space Solarium - A room placed on the south side of the house that warms during the day The walls are made of glass

Passive Solar Systems Envelope Design - A continuous cavity is built around the perimeter of the house Solarium is built on the south side In the winter this warm air rises In the summer the envelope can cool the house but trees are used to assist

Envelope Design Winter Envelope Summer Envelope

Active Solar System Solar collectors are used to convert sunlight into heat by warming a fluid Backup systems are required if there is a lack of sunlight

Active Solar System Solar Collectors - Sunlight is caught and turned into heat Collectors are designed to follow the sun’s path and improve efficiency Storage - Water, rock, or chemicals are used to store the excess heat when it is not needed

Active Solar System Geothermal Systems - Water from the ground is circulated through the house to warm and cool Closed-loop systems use a fluid pumped through polyethylene tubes Open-loop systems use water pumped from a well or reservoir

Active Solar System

Active Solar System Photovoltaic Modules - Electricity is produced by sunlight “photo” means light and “voltaic” means “to produce electricity by chemical action Both AC and DC electricity is produced

Active Solar System Wind Energy - Turbines are turned caused by wind created by unequal heating of the earth Hydroelectric Power - Energy is converted from falling water into electricity

Related Web Sites Alliance to Save Energy - www.ase.org U.S. Department of Energy - www.doe.gov OSI Sealants Inc - www.osisealants.com Sustainable Energy - www.solstice.crest.org U.S. Green Building Council - http://www.usgbc.org/