Energy Efficient Housing Design
For the Energy Efficient Housing designed we were to build our own houses with any living requirements accounted for. The building had to be able to heat itself with the use of electricity and maintain that heat throughout the day. Our 3 man team included, me, Robert Schinske, and Zach Muzzarelli.
Need:
Design a hot water heater which we could implement into the house.
Study heat transfer, sun lighting angles, green electricity generation, and materials efficiency
Select a site then justify the construction and use of our building
Design a hot water heater which we could implement into the house.
Study heat transfer, sun lighting angles, green electricity generation, and materials efficiency
Select a site then justify the construction and use of our building
The Water Heater:
For this portion of the project, we had to design the most efficient solar water heater we could. These heaters had to heat 1 liter of water using solar energy that we transfer into thermal energy. The materials we were allowed to use were, a cardboard box, 1 liter bottle, copper and plastic tubing, 1 paper bag, and any insulation materials we could find. We constructed it by filling the bag with insulation, then placing the bottle inside, with plastic tubing leading through a hole in the bottom of the bag. We connected the plastic tubing to copper tubing and lead it through a box filling with more insulation, spray painted black, and wrapped in tinfoil and all covered with saran wrap. Water is poured into the bottle which let's it flow down into the box and heated with solar energy gathered from everything in the box.
Reasoning:
We used copper tubing because it was the most effective conductor at our disposal. Insulation and saran wrap, because it traps thermal energy in the box allowing it to more efficiently heat the water. And finally, black spray paint was used to absorb more thermal energy while the tin foil was used to reflect it into the copper tubing.
Reflection:
None of the heaters worked very well. Of the days we tested our heaters, only 1 was optimal for this kind of heating. The materials and construction of our heaters was very inefficient, and would only heat the water a couple degrees at most over approximately 30 minutes.
For this portion of the project, we had to design the most efficient solar water heater we could. These heaters had to heat 1 liter of water using solar energy that we transfer into thermal energy. The materials we were allowed to use were, a cardboard box, 1 liter bottle, copper and plastic tubing, 1 paper bag, and any insulation materials we could find. We constructed it by filling the bag with insulation, then placing the bottle inside, with plastic tubing leading through a hole in the bottom of the bag. We connected the plastic tubing to copper tubing and lead it through a box filling with more insulation, spray painted black, and wrapped in tinfoil and all covered with saran wrap. Water is poured into the bottle which let's it flow down into the box and heated with solar energy gathered from everything in the box.
Reasoning:
We used copper tubing because it was the most effective conductor at our disposal. Insulation and saran wrap, because it traps thermal energy in the box allowing it to more efficiently heat the water. And finally, black spray paint was used to absorb more thermal energy while the tin foil was used to reflect it into the copper tubing.
Reflection:
None of the heaters worked very well. Of the days we tested our heaters, only 1 was optimal for this kind of heating. The materials and construction of our heaters was very inefficient, and would only heat the water a couple degrees at most over approximately 30 minutes.
Seasonal Solar Angles:
Here, we were to study light angles in Novato, throughout the year, in order to find the most efficient design for capturing solar energy within the building. This diagram shows how the sun angles change throughout the year, decreasing drastically starting from the beginning of the school year into winter. This means that most of the time our building would be in use, it would be extremely cold (in relation to Novato Weather) as we have no way of artificially heating it. In order to compensate, we decided to place windows facing South and East walls in order to gather as much sunlight as possible (South and East being the direction in which the sun shines on the school).
Here, we were to study light angles in Novato, throughout the year, in order to find the most efficient design for capturing solar energy within the building. This diagram shows how the sun angles change throughout the year, decreasing drastically starting from the beginning of the school year into winter. This means that most of the time our building would be in use, it would be extremely cold (in relation to Novato Weather) as we have no way of artificially heating it. In order to compensate, we decided to place windows facing South and East walls in order to gather as much sunlight as possible (South and East being the direction in which the sun shines on the school).
Day Lighting Design Activity:
For this section of the Energy Efficient Housing the groups were told to build a scale model of a 1,000 sq. ft. house, in order to understand the methods we could use to use natural light to light the building, and to figure out how much energy we could save using natural light to replace artificial light during the day. For this we used a scale of 1 cm: 1 ft and tested 60 watt bulbs to figure out energy consumption.
We used a total of 2 light shelves, 5 skylights, and 2 solar tubes to light the house as well as possible. Though our building still wasn't as efficient as we wanted, it still ended up saving approximately 3.9 Kilowatt hours of artificial lighting everyday. After studying methods of naturally lighting buildings, we then had to choose a spot for the house to be built. There were multiple places to choose from and we had to decide which would be best according to: accessibility by students, visibility by passerby, sunlight during the school hours terrain, and possible future site plans.
For this section of the Energy Efficient Housing the groups were told to build a scale model of a 1,000 sq. ft. house, in order to understand the methods we could use to use natural light to light the building, and to figure out how much energy we could save using natural light to replace artificial light during the day. For this we used a scale of 1 cm: 1 ft and tested 60 watt bulbs to figure out energy consumption.
We used a total of 2 light shelves, 5 skylights, and 2 solar tubes to light the house as well as possible. Though our building still wasn't as efficient as we wanted, it still ended up saving approximately 3.9 Kilowatt hours of artificial lighting everyday. After studying methods of naturally lighting buildings, we then had to choose a spot for the house to be built. There were multiple places to choose from and we had to decide which would be best according to: accessibility by students, visibility by passerby, sunlight during the school hours terrain, and possible future site plans.
Building Design:
For this portion of the project, groups had to design a building, and at the end, a design would be chosen to construct at the
chosen site. We had to build this building under $5000 and with no energy usage. To do this we kept the square footage down
to 10 x 12 feet to keep it under the limit for a building license in order to keep the costs down. We used were we have three windows on the south and east walls to gather the most sunlight as possible. We also used wall tiles on the back walls to absorb the most heat possible from the front windows. We choose dark hardwood for the flooring because it tested the best in terms of holding the most heat compared to the other floor materials. We choose all the materials that are most reasonable with our budget. Most of the materials we used were based on the absorption and reflection of sunlight like the windows and flooring.
For this portion of the project, groups had to design a building, and at the end, a design would be chosen to construct at the
chosen site. We had to build this building under $5000 and with no energy usage. To do this we kept the square footage down
to 10 x 12 feet to keep it under the limit for a building license in order to keep the costs down. We used were we have three windows on the south and east walls to gather the most sunlight as possible. We also used wall tiles on the back walls to absorb the most heat possible from the front windows. We choose dark hardwood for the flooring because it tested the best in terms of holding the most heat compared to the other floor materials. We choose all the materials that are most reasonable with our budget. Most of the materials we used were based on the absorption and reflection of sunlight like the windows and flooring.
Green Electricity Generation:
Here we studied multiple ways to generate electricity and designed blades for a wind turbine. Each group had to design at least 1 horizontal and 1 vertical turbine and test them. Through testing we found that the horizontal wind turbine generated a lot more wind energy. We built simple models made of sticks, tape, and paper and tested multiple designs for blades in order to reduce drag as much as physically possible while still catching as much wind as possible.
Here we studied multiple ways to generate electricity and designed blades for a wind turbine. Each group had to design at least 1 horizontal and 1 vertical turbine and test them. Through testing we found that the horizontal wind turbine generated a lot more wind energy. We built simple models made of sticks, tape, and paper and tested multiple designs for blades in order to reduce drag as much as physically possible while still catching as much wind as possible.
Concepts:
Radiation-is heat radiated in the form of waves or rays. This energy transfer occurs via waves that do not require a medium through which to travel. Radiation is how heat from the sun reaches us after traveling through most empty space. Radiation energy is transferred mostly in the form of in fared light, but some is also visible light. We used this for our passive solar project.
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. The difference in the sun patterns and wind patterns will effect most if not all aspects of the project.
Conduction- The transfer of heat through a substance by direct contact of atoms or molecules. This is used for the house also because of the windows when the sun hits it.
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. Absorb-take in or soak up (energy, or a liquid or other substance) by chemical or physical action, typically gradually. In this project we need the most efficient absorbers so we can have a great and heated building.
Reflect-Reflection is the opposite of absorption. Instead of being absorbed, some of the heat energy is bounced, or reflected off in the opposite direction. As this happens, the heat waves are unchanged, as is the objects.We used reflecting for once again the buildings paint color and the back wall tiles.
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 (the size or mass), 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 in the form, 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.
Formulas of Energy Efficiency:
Conversion of temperatures - Fahrenheit = Celsius x 9/5 + 32. Celsius = 5/9 Fahrenheit - 32
Gas law-Pressure x Volume=#of atoms x constant x temperature(PV=nRt)
Reflections:
Over all I enjoyed this project but thought it was very difficult. We were learning so many different concepts and staying so busy that it was hard to keep track of everything. Our group wasn't able to create a very effective heater or lighting system for the building. But our wind turbines were very effective and we were able to get through everything pretty well.
Radiation-is heat radiated in the form of waves or rays. This energy transfer occurs via waves that do not require a medium through which to travel. Radiation is how heat from the sun reaches us after traveling through most empty space. Radiation energy is transferred mostly in the form of in fared light, but some is also visible light. We used this for our passive solar project.
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. The difference in the sun patterns and wind patterns will effect most if not all aspects of the project.
Conduction- The transfer of heat through a substance by direct contact of atoms or molecules. This is used for the house also because of the windows when the sun hits it.
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. Absorb-take in or soak up (energy, or a liquid or other substance) by chemical or physical action, typically gradually. In this project we need the most efficient absorbers so we can have a great and heated building.
Reflect-Reflection is the opposite of absorption. Instead of being absorbed, some of the heat energy is bounced, or reflected off in the opposite direction. As this happens, the heat waves are unchanged, as is the objects.We used reflecting for once again the buildings paint color and the back wall tiles.
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 (the size or mass), 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 in the form, 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 zero as the temperature approaches zero.
Formulas of Energy Efficiency:
Conversion of temperatures - Fahrenheit = Celsius x 9/5 + 32. Celsius = 5/9 Fahrenheit - 32
Gas law-Pressure x Volume=#of atoms x constant x temperature(PV=nRt)
Reflections:
Over all I enjoyed this project but thought it was very difficult. We were learning so many different concepts and staying so busy that it was hard to keep track of everything. Our group wasn't able to create a very effective heater or lighting system for the building. But our wind turbines were very effective and we were able to get through everything pretty well.