1. Building Envelope

2. Energy Conservation House design and orientation Lifestyle changes Energy efficiency

3. Building Envelope In this module, we look at the effect of the building’s exterior on heat loss during the heating season or heat gain during the cooling season. Walls, windows, roof, and foundation make up the envelope.

4. Space Heating & Cooling We use a mathematical and very simplified view of the building and its thermal envelope. The amount of heat (Q) that flows through the walls depends on the temperature difference between the inside and the outside, and the area of the walls.

5. Interior temperature So the interior temperature is important as well as the climate which determines the exterior temperature.

6. Insulation The heat flow depends on the “R-value” of walls windows and ceiling. R means resistance to flow. The bigger the R, the smaller the heat loss (or gain)

7. Windows Windows have low R-value. Even really good windows lets heat flow through.

8. Infiltration If there are cracks around windows or doors where exterior air can seep or blow in, this can be a big heat gain or loss.

9. Energy Efficiency We are going to mathematically model a house. If you hate math, this is OK. Just hang in there for a while. It’ll be OK.