How To Make Housing More Efficient and the Importance of Passive Solar

Design

Presented by Alejandro Guzman

Project Description

The focus of this project will be on future and existing residential developments, it is about finding energy efficiency in single family housing. The approach will be based on techniques that benefit the existing homes, such as saving energy and water consumption. The project will explain strategies to reduce water and energy waste, and it will discuss alternative methods of renewable energy and technologies that will help residents reduce their utility bills. These techniques will also help the environment by reducing greenhouse gases which is an ongoing battle against climate change.

The Idea of this project is also to show some examples of Eco Friendly homes, multi purpose ideas of residence and Passive Solar Design techniques.

Proposed question research

1. What are the steps needed to make your home more energy efficient?

2. How can your home be closer to become a Net zero home?

3. What are some alternatives to reduce the house water consumption?

4. What methods could be used to reduce and even re-utilize the home waste?

Methodology

The first step for this project is to research information about energy savings and residential, It is basically conducting research on previous and existing projects that are already working on the same idea for this project.

A couple of surveys will also be conducted to understand the consumer behavior on water and energy consumption, and their management of assets such as air conditioning units, dishwashers, use of water closets and time spent during showers.

The Link of Sustainability With The Built Environment

Sustainability1. Planet2. People3. Profit

The Built Environment1. P

Reducing Greenhouse Gasses Minimizing Natural Resources use and wasteReutilizing Products For Building Materials

2. PBetter Air QualityShared Spaces to Reduce Isolation, improves social interactionHappier indoors

3. PSave money buying less and re-purposingUse less energy through Smart DesignCheaper Bills

Modest And Affordable

Average Size Home

Three bedrooms two bath 1200 sqft floor plan

Energy Conservation

25%

12.5%10%

52.5%

Kw/h

Residence Energy Consumption Chart

Calculating AC Consumption

Lowest month 2

Lowest month 3

Lowest month 1

TOTAL / 3 = AVERAGE

AVERAGE

Actual use per month

Heating or Cooling for that month

Numbers

Jan 2015 (168)

Jul 2015 (256)

Dec 2015 (186)

203

Jan 2016 (530)

203

January 2016 Heating use =

327 Kw/h

62% total energy used

Consumption Analysis Year 2015Personal example of an energy conscious consumer

What Does Net Zero House Mean?

A net zero home is when the energy produced minus the energy consumed in a house equals zero in a year time frame.

Consumption Kw/hGeneration Kw/h Zero (One year)

Steps to Make a House More Energy Efficient

1. Air leaks and insulation2. Heating and Cooling3. Water Heating4.Windows5. Lighting6. Appliances7. Electronics8. Renewable energy

Air Leaks and Insulation

Is your home cooling the internal temperature or is it trying to cool the entire block?

Have you checked what kind of insulation do you have on your attic?

42% of the house total energy is used for space heating and cooling

Recommended Insulation Values

Heating and Cooling

It is the most expensive user of energy. Upgrading equipment saves money. 49% fuel used for temperature heating is natural

gas, 34% is from electricity. Annual Fuel Utilization Energy (AFUE)

National minimum 78%Energy Star 90% +

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)National minimum 13 SEEREnergy star 14.5 +

Passive Solar Heating and Cooling

Sustainable architecture DesignReflecting coatings on windows, walls and roofInsulated windows on south facing wallsConcrete slab floor and heat absorbing walls Architecture (Passive solar techniques)

Keep all south facing glass cleanMake sure objects don’t block the sunlight from concrete slab heat absorbing floors

35%

7.5%

57.5%

Consumer Behaviour

32.5%22.5%

27.5%

17.5%

Consumer Behaviour

Programmable Thermostats

They are specially important for heat pumpsThey can store multiple daily settings

Six or more different settings each day

Automatically turn down the heat at night Automatically turn down when away from homeBigger air conditioners aren’t necessarily better

Turning fans while AC running helps cooling and lowers the energy use, they spread the cool air around the house.

Water Heating

It is the second largest energy user in our homesTypically accounts for 18% of the energy billFour ways to reduce the water heating energy

Use less hot waterTurn down the thermostat on your water heater 120fInsulate your water heater Buy a more efficient model

Drain a quart of the water from your tank to remove sediments that impede the electric heating the water

Insulation of the components and water linesGas on demand or tankless water heaters saving 30%Drain water waste heat recovery system

Solar water heater environmentally friendly

Windows

They can account for 10% to 25% on energy by letting heat out.

Curtains shade help lowering the heat from sunny windows.

Double-pane windowsCold climate : Gas-filled windows with low-e coatings to reduce heat lossHot climate: Spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain

Inside storm windows help regulate the temperatureWhite blinds and curtains reflect sunlight on hot climate areasLow Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) good measure for solar radiation emitted

from the window

Lighting LED are the most successful in museums

No heat emissionsDirect focus on the art exposedReduction of glare

Residential 5% of the total energy useHalogen incandescent

Energy savers, 3X longer than traditional incandescent bulbs

Compact fluorescentUse 75% less energy and last 10X longer than

traditional Pays itself in less than 9 months, they contain

minimal mercury Light-Emitting diodes (LED)

Use 75% to 80% less energy and last 25X longer than traditional

Provide different shapes and colors and can mold to any surface

Best energy savers and do not produce any heat

Lighting Solutions

Energy Star fixtures can help to distribute the light evenly throughout the space needed for illumination.

Timers and photo cells save electricity by turning the lights off automatically when not needed.

Dimmers can save energy by keeping the light at lower levelsOpening shades and curtains allow for natural light to illuminate the spaces without

using energy. Outdoor solar lights are easy to install and do not add cost to the electric bill. 1600 lumens instead of 100W, 800 lumens instead of 60W

22.5%27.5%

20%

30%

Consumer Behaviour

70%

25%

5%

Consumer Behaviour

Furnaces and Appliances

Annual fuel utilization efficiency of furnaces (AFUE)Minimum requirement 78%Energy star 90% or more

Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER)Minimum SEER 13Energy star 14.5 or more

Air conditioning units are usually 10% more efficient, and central units are usually 15%more efficient

Water heaters 30% savingsWindows Light bulbs, usually saving 80% of the normal consumptionRefrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, light fixtures.

Energy Star ContinuationEnergy Star products exceed the efficiency required by federal standardsDishwasher , older dishwashers require 10 gallons of water approximately, energy

star only requires 4.5 or lessEnergy star logos explain the criteria of the product and its maximum efficiency Refrigerators: savings of 20% more than required by the federal standards, 15%

less than non-qualified models and 40% less than conventional refrigerators made before 2001

Laundry washers use 35% less water and 20% less energy than conventional washers

Office equipment can save up to 75% on energyComputers (savings from 30% to 65% on energy use)Copies, Fax machines, Monitors, Multifunction devices, Printers, Scanners.

Home electronicsCordless phones, tvs, dvd players, home audio, set top boxes.

74%

3%

23%

Consumer Behaviour

52%

6%11%

31%

Consumer Behaviour

Electronics

Energy Star labeled products reduce energy consumption by at least half of the normal consumption by other equipment.

ES computers use 30% to 65% or less depending on the use.Connect your equipment to a power strip to turn electricity off completely and avoid

phantom loads. Misconception about screen savers reducing energy consumptionEquipment does not last longer if is never turned offRechargeable batteries are cost effective in the long run.

Water Conservation

Consumer Behaviour

43%

14%

31.5%

11.5%

40%

17%

14%

29%

Consumer Behaviour

31%

34%

6%

26%

3%

Consumer Behaviour

Low Flow Toilets

1 2 3

Water Aerators

1 2 3

Composting Toilets ● Standard WC waste tremendous amounts of pure drinking water 35 to 45% household potable

● Be aware of unconventional issues such as flies (dry toilet)

● Heat generated by aerobic decomposition creates vent.○ Mechanism and fan for small

● Composting toilet○ Flies and small crawling insects○ Earthworms are beneficial

● Maintenance 1 to 2 weeks ○ Racking and adding wood

shavings

To be continued...

Renewable Energy

Geothermal energy (Iceland)Solar thermal (water heater)Wind power Hydro powerMarine energyBiofuelsSolar energy

Passive solar residential design

Passive Solar Design

1. Cool roofs2. Green roofs3. Landscape (vegetation and tree shade)4. South face of the building5. Porches6. Floors 7.Windows8. Use of solar energy

RecapAverage and affordable single family houseConsumer behavior with energy and AC

consumption % exampleWhat is net zeroEnergy saving strategies

InsulationHeating and coolingWater heatingWindowsLighting Appliances and electronics

ENERGY STARConsumer behavior with water consumptionWater saving strategies

Low flow toilets AeratorsDry toilets and composting toilets

To be continuedRenewable energy Passive solar design

Questions?