Energy Efficient Housing/Designing a Passive Solar Home
For this project, we had to find out how to design a home that is comfortable in all conditions without the use of electricity and the most efficient way to heat and cool a home. After learning about solar angles and how it changes during each season we chose a site to where our home would be. We then tested a variety of materials to see which ones held and absorbed heat the best. Next, we created our own passive home solar design. We had a $5,000 budget to work with to collect all of the materials we need. Then, along with all of the other groups, we presented each of our ideas to a panel of community and school judges to determine which house will be built.
Concepts
Radiation-is heat radiated in the form of waves or rays. Radiation is how heat from the sun reaches us after traveling through most empty space. Radiation energy is transferred mostly in the form of infrared light, but some is also visible light.
Convection- Convection is the transfer of heat through a fluid medium. Heat transferred by convection flows from areas of lower pressure, which is the cause for weather patterns we observe every day.
Conduction- The transfer of heat through a substance by direct contact of atoms or molecules.
Insulation-protect something by interposing material that prevents the loss of heat or the intrusion of sound. We used this for our building with the floor, roofing, and walls. They absorb-take in or soak up energy or another substance by chemical or physical action, typically gradually.
Reflection-Reflection is the opposite of absorption. An object that reflects heat denies tot absorb heat, and doesn't take in heat quickly.
Temp vs heat-Heat is the total energy of molecular motion in a substance while temperature is a measure of the average energy of molecular motion in a substance. Heat energy depends on the speed of the particles, the number of particles, and the type of particles in an object. Temperature does not depend on the size or type of object.
Specific heat- The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius. The relationship between heat and temperature change is usually expressed Q=cm(delta)t, where c is the specific heat.
Laws of Thermodynamics-is a branch of natural science concerned with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work.
1st law of thermodynamics: Because energy is conserved, the internal energy of a system changes as heat flows in or out of it. Heat is the flow of thermal energy from one object to another.
2nd law of thermodynamics : The entropy of any isolated system not in thermal equilibrium almost always increases. Closed systems spontaneously evolve towards thermal equilibrium—the state of maximum entropy of the system—in a process known as "thermalization".
3rd law of thermodynamics: The entropy of any pure substance in thermodynamic equilibrium approaches as the temperature approaches zero.
Radiation-is heat radiated in the form of waves or rays. Radiation is how heat from the sun reaches us after traveling through most empty space. Radiation energy is transferred mostly in the form of infrared light, but some is also visible light.
Convection- Convection is the transfer of heat through a fluid medium. Heat transferred by convection flows from areas of lower pressure, which is the cause for weather patterns we observe every day.
Conduction- The transfer of heat through a substance by direct contact of atoms or molecules.
Insulation-protect something by interposing material that prevents the loss of heat or the intrusion of sound. We used this for our building with the floor, roofing, and walls. They absorb-take in or soak up energy or another substance by chemical or physical action, typically gradually.
Reflection-Reflection is the opposite of absorption. An object that reflects heat denies tot absorb heat, and doesn't take in heat quickly.
Temp vs heat-Heat is the total energy of molecular motion in a substance while temperature is a measure of the average energy of molecular motion in a substance. Heat energy depends on the speed of the particles, the number of particles, and the type of particles in an object. Temperature does not depend on the size or type of object.
Specific heat- The specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius. The relationship between heat and temperature change is usually expressed Q=cm(delta)t, where c is the specific heat.
Laws of Thermodynamics-is a branch of natural science concerned with heat and temperature and their relation to energy and work.
1st law of thermodynamics: Because energy is conserved, the internal energy of a system changes as heat flows in or out of it. Heat is the flow of thermal energy from one object to another.
2nd law of thermodynamics : The entropy of any isolated system not in thermal equilibrium almost always increases. Closed systems spontaneously evolve towards thermal equilibrium—the state of maximum entropy of the system—in a process known as "thermalization".
3rd law of thermodynamics: The entropy of any pure substance in thermodynamic equilibrium approaches as the temperature approaches zero.
Design a Hot Water Heater
We created a passive solar water heater using cardboard, copper tubing, plastic tubing, aluminum foil, paint, plastic rap, and water. Our goal was to heat water as it traveled through the solar water heater. We spray painted the aluminum foil and all of the tubing black so that it would absorb the most heat. The water would travel through the black tubes that were inside of the cardboard box which would heat the water slightly as it came out. We used a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water before and after it went through the water heater.
We created a passive solar water heater using cardboard, copper tubing, plastic tubing, aluminum foil, paint, plastic rap, and water. Our goal was to heat water as it traveled through the solar water heater. We spray painted the aluminum foil and all of the tubing black so that it would absorb the most heat. The water would travel through the black tubes that were inside of the cardboard box which would heat the water slightly as it came out. We used a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water before and after it went through the water heater.
Solar Angles and how it Changes During Seasons
We have seasons because the Earth is slightly tilted on its axis of 23.5 degrees. This is important to us because we can detect the suns rays at a given time of day. We get more slanted rays from the sun in the winter and less slanted rays in the summer. Since the rays are more slanted in the winter, there is less heat being simulated. This is why it is colder in the winter and warmer in the summer.
We have seasons because the Earth is slightly tilted on its axis of 23.5 degrees. This is important to us because we can detect the suns rays at a given time of day. We get more slanted rays from the sun in the winter and less slanted rays in the summer. Since the rays are more slanted in the winter, there is less heat being simulated. This is why it is colder in the winter and warmer in the summer.
Daylight design activity
We learned many different ways to utilize light. For example putting in skylights and clerestory windows seemed to receive the most light. We designed and built a model of a house including bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, and a kitchen. We had to incorporate windows into the house as well and measure how much light was getting into each room during each season. We used a flash light as the sun and moved it around for different times of the day.
Different types of windows: 1.Light Shelves - used to bounce light from the overhang on the sill, back into the room's ceiling which then reflects/diffuses light throughout the room
2.Solar Tubes- an opening that lets in light and bounces down reflective lining and into the room
3.Clerestory Windows-windows not used for view that are situated up high to catch sun rays at higher angles.
4.Skylights- openings on ceilings to allow light in
We learned many different ways to utilize light. For example putting in skylights and clerestory windows seemed to receive the most light. We designed and built a model of a house including bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, and a kitchen. We had to incorporate windows into the house as well and measure how much light was getting into each room during each season. We used a flash light as the sun and moved it around for different times of the day.
Different types of windows: 1.Light Shelves - used to bounce light from the overhang on the sill, back into the room's ceiling which then reflects/diffuses light throughout the room
2.Solar Tubes- an opening that lets in light and bounces down reflective lining and into the room
3.Clerestory Windows-windows not used for view that are situated up high to catch sun rays at higher angles.
4.Skylights- openings on ceilings to allow light in
Materials testing
We had to see which materials were best at absorbing and holding in heat. In order to find that out, we made a data table showing the temperature of each material every five minutes. Carpet absorbed the most heat and dark hardwood reflected the most heat. The material that held heat the best was stucco and the material that was the best at insulating heat was fiber glass.
We had to see which materials were best at absorbing and holding in heat. In order to find that out, we made a data table showing the temperature of each material every five minutes. Carpet absorbed the most heat and dark hardwood reflected the most heat. The material that held heat the best was stucco and the material that was the best at insulating heat was fiber glass.
Building Design
We had to research and design our own passive solar house. We first made blue prints of the dimensions of each side of the house, the floor, and roof. After making the blue prints, we came up with all of the materials we needed and made a master list of each material and its price. After completing the materials list, we made a graphic model of our house on a lap top. After completing the scale model, we put everything together on a power point ready to present. Two things that we could have improved on was time management, using every minute to complete a task. We could have also made a physical model to go along with our digital model so that the crowd could take a look at that whenever they wanted. One of the things that went extremely well during this project was how we all worked together to complete something. Our group only had 3 people in it instead of the other groups who each had 4. One thing this project has taught me was how to build accurate blue prints which can be extremely useful later in life.
We had to research and design our own passive solar house. We first made blue prints of the dimensions of each side of the house, the floor, and roof. After making the blue prints, we came up with all of the materials we needed and made a master list of each material and its price. After completing the materials list, we made a graphic model of our house on a lap top. After completing the scale model, we put everything together on a power point ready to present. Two things that we could have improved on was time management, using every minute to complete a task. We could have also made a physical model to go along with our digital model so that the crowd could take a look at that whenever they wanted. One of the things that went extremely well during this project was how we all worked together to complete something. Our group only had 3 people in it instead of the other groups who each had 4. One thing this project has taught me was how to build accurate blue prints which can be extremely useful later in life.
Justification
There are many benefits as well as cons to why we wanted to build and efficient home off the grid. An efficient home is more expensive to build off the grid but also has no cost after it has been built. The average house uses much more energy than an efficient passive solar house. At normal houses, the lights need to be turned throughout the day and either the air conditioner or heater is turned on which is extremely expensive. An energy efficient house will save money because it is designed to allow as much light in as possible during each part of the day. As a class, we created a Google doc with all of the information about if its worth building it.
There are many benefits as well as cons to why we wanted to build and efficient home off the grid. An efficient home is more expensive to build off the grid but also has no cost after it has been built. The average house uses much more energy than an efficient passive solar house. At normal houses, the lights need to be turned throughout the day and either the air conditioner or heater is turned on which is extremely expensive. An energy efficient house will save money because it is designed to allow as much light in as possible during each part of the day. As a class, we created a Google doc with all of the information about if its worth building it.
Generation of Electricity
The final part of the project was to design a wind turbine to generate electricity for our structure. We built our turbine out of folders, wooden sticks, axles, and paper. We designed a horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines. The horizontal wind turbine generated about 40% more energy than the vertical wind turbine. Our horizontal wind turbine produced 0.25 vaults when the fan was on low power, and produced 0.31 vaults when the fan was on medium power. The vertical wind turbine produced 0.18 vaults when the fan was on low, and 0.197 vaults when the fan was on medium.
The final part of the project was to design a wind turbine to generate electricity for our structure. We built our turbine out of folders, wooden sticks, axles, and paper. We designed a horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines. The horizontal wind turbine generated about 40% more energy than the vertical wind turbine. Our horizontal wind turbine produced 0.25 vaults when the fan was on low power, and produced 0.31 vaults when the fan was on medium power. The vertical wind turbine produced 0.18 vaults when the fan was on low, and 0.197 vaults when the fan was on medium.