Passive solar home design
Driving Questions
How can we design a home that is comfortable in all conditions without the use of electricity?
What is the most efficient way to heat and cool a home?
What is the most efficient way to heat and cool a home?
Objective
The objective of our project was to design and build a energy efficient building. After every group had designed their models, we each presented our projects to a panel of judges. Finally after selecting which model was the best, we started building the actual full scale model.
This project had eight main parts to it.
1. Design a hot water heater-
The first part of our project was building a solar hot water heater. We constructed a very simple water heater using a cardboard box, a paper bag, a plastic bottle, insulation, copper and plastic tubing, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, black spray paint, and water. We started by covering the box with foil( to reflect the light and heat onto the copper tube). Then we put a layer of insulation in the bottom of the box and placed a piece of cardboard covered in foil that was painted black. We painted the foil black in order to absorb and attract more light and heat. On top of the cardboard we placed copper tubing which we bent into a zigzag pattern. Connected to one end of the copper tube we attached the plastic tubing which was connected to the plastic bottle which held the water. The bottle was inside a bag filled with insulation. We ran this experiment by continuously filtering the water through the heater. we conducted this experiment outside in the sunlight. Unfortunately, it was pretty early in the morning so we didn't get as much sunlight as we had hoped for. This resulted in our water only heating up a couple of degrees. By doing this experiment we learned about radiation, convection, and conduction.
2. Solar angles and how it changes during the season-
We experience seasons because of the position of the earth in relation to the sun. The earth is tilted with its axis at 23.5 degrees. Because of this tilt, the northern hemisphere receives more slated rays in the winter. However at the same time, the southern hemisphere is receiving more direct rays. Slated rays result in less of them fitting in one area. Therefore that area will receive less heat. During the middle of the day while the sun is more overhear the rays are less slated, resulting in a more direct sunlight and more heat.
Below is a chart showing solar angles throughout the days, and during the year.
This project had eight main parts to it.
1. Design a hot water heater-
The first part of our project was building a solar hot water heater. We constructed a very simple water heater using a cardboard box, a paper bag, a plastic bottle, insulation, copper and plastic tubing, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, black spray paint, and water. We started by covering the box with foil( to reflect the light and heat onto the copper tube). Then we put a layer of insulation in the bottom of the box and placed a piece of cardboard covered in foil that was painted black. We painted the foil black in order to absorb and attract more light and heat. On top of the cardboard we placed copper tubing which we bent into a zigzag pattern. Connected to one end of the copper tube we attached the plastic tubing which was connected to the plastic bottle which held the water. The bottle was inside a bag filled with insulation. We ran this experiment by continuously filtering the water through the heater. we conducted this experiment outside in the sunlight. Unfortunately, it was pretty early in the morning so we didn't get as much sunlight as we had hoped for. This resulted in our water only heating up a couple of degrees. By doing this experiment we learned about radiation, convection, and conduction.
2. Solar angles and how it changes during the season-
We experience seasons because of the position of the earth in relation to the sun. The earth is tilted with its axis at 23.5 degrees. Because of this tilt, the northern hemisphere receives more slated rays in the winter. However at the same time, the southern hemisphere is receiving more direct rays. Slated rays result in less of them fitting in one area. Therefore that area will receive less heat. During the middle of the day while the sun is more overhear the rays are less slated, resulting in a more direct sunlight and more heat.
Below is a chart showing solar angles throughout the days, and during the year.
3. Day lighting design activity-
In this activity we learned about different day lighting techniques and features used in buildings. These features maximized the amount of natural light that we can get into our homes. We looked at many different techniques and found that some were better than others.
Clerestory Window- A high window, used to bring slanted rays of sunlight into rooms.
Light shelf- A window sill that is usually painted a light color in order to reflect light onto the ceiling and throughout the room.
Skylight- An opening in the roof and ceiling which is fitted with glass. Used to let overhead daylight into the room.
Solar Tube- A tube lined with reflective material, in which light is reflected inside and then distributed throughout the room.
Below is our cardboard house which included clerestory windows, light shelves, solar tubes, and a skylight.
In this activity we learned about different day lighting techniques and features used in buildings. These features maximized the amount of natural light that we can get into our homes. We looked at many different techniques and found that some were better than others.
Clerestory Window- A high window, used to bring slanted rays of sunlight into rooms.
Light shelf- A window sill that is usually painted a light color in order to reflect light onto the ceiling and throughout the room.
Skylight- An opening in the roof and ceiling which is fitted with glass. Used to let overhead daylight into the room.
Solar Tube- A tube lined with reflective material, in which light is reflected inside and then distributed throughout the room.
Below is our cardboard house which included clerestory windows, light shelves, solar tubes, and a skylight.
4. Site selection-
While searching throughout the school for the perfect place to put our building we took many different concerns into consideration. We wanted to look for a location that was visible to the public, had plenty of sunlight throughout the day, was relatively flat, and was easy to access. At first we had found a couple of pretty good locations that met most of our needs. After further evaluating each location, we decided on a spot behind the portables, and next to the parking lot that is right by the STEM classroom.
While searching throughout the school for the perfect place to put our building we took many different concerns into consideration. We wanted to look for a location that was visible to the public, had plenty of sunlight throughout the day, was relatively flat, and was easy to access. At first we had found a couple of pretty good locations that met most of our needs. After further evaluating each location, we decided on a spot behind the portables, and next to the parking lot that is right by the STEM classroom.
5. Materials testing-
For this part of our project we designed a very time consuming project. We started by shining a light above many materials that we were thinking of using for the interior and exterior walls, the floor, and roof, as well as different insulations. We took the temperature of each material every five minutes. After 45 minutes, we turned the light off. Once again we took the temperature every five minutes in order to see how quickly each material lost its heat. After recording all of the data, we constructed time vs. heat graphs for some of the materials. We found that the darker materials absorbed the heat better. Therefore the lighter colors reflected the most heat.
Below is some of the data we recorded.
For this part of our project we designed a very time consuming project. We started by shining a light above many materials that we were thinking of using for the interior and exterior walls, the floor, and roof, as well as different insulations. We took the temperature of each material every five minutes. After 45 minutes, we turned the light off. Once again we took the temperature every five minutes in order to see how quickly each material lost its heat. After recording all of the data, we constructed time vs. heat graphs for some of the materials. We found that the darker materials absorbed the heat better. Therefore the lighter colors reflected the most heat.
Below is some of the data we recorded.
6. Building Design-
This was the main part of our project. We had to design a building, list key features, make a full materials list, draw or create blueprints, build a scale model, and come up with what the building would be used for. Peter hand drew all of our blueprints, Natalie and I made the full material list, and Cris created a Google sketch- up model of our building. After all of this we all helped construct a physical model showing the framework and insulation of our building. After many days of working on this part of the project we put it all together on a poster and presented it to the community.
This was the main part of our project. We had to design a building, list key features, make a full materials list, draw or create blueprints, build a scale model, and come up with what the building would be used for. Peter hand drew all of our blueprints, Natalie and I made the full material list, and Cris created a Google sketch- up model of our building. After all of this we all helped construct a physical model showing the framework and insulation of our building. After many days of working on this part of the project we put it all together on a poster and presented it to the community.
7. Justification-
Many people wonder, "What is the point of building an energy efficient home?" After plenty of research we decided that in the long run, it is definitely worth building. Although it may be more expensive to build at first, it will start paying for itself over time. As a class we came up with pros and cons to many different types of energy sources.
Many people wonder, "What is the point of building an energy efficient home?" After plenty of research we decided that in the long run, it is definitely worth building. Although it may be more expensive to build at first, it will start paying for itself over time. As a class we came up with pros and cons to many different types of energy sources.
8. Generation of Electricity-
The final piece to our project was designing wind turbines that could potentially power our building. We were given wooden dowels, an axis, and some manila folders. We cut the folders into a desired shape and attached them to the dowels, which we attached to the axis. We had to design a Vertical axis and a horizontal axis wind turbine. We then placed our designs on a stand in front of a fan. Our group found that the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) worked more efficiently.
The final piece to our project was designing wind turbines that could potentially power our building. We were given wooden dowels, an axis, and some manila folders. We cut the folders into a desired shape and attached them to the dowels, which we attached to the axis. We had to design a Vertical axis and a horizontal axis wind turbine. We then placed our designs on a stand in front of a fan. Our group found that the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) worked more efficiently.
Physics concepts
heat- energy transfer via random molecular motions, resulting in gain or loss of internal energy
conduction- energy transfer within certain materials
convection-heat transfer by movement of the heated substance itself, such as by currents in a fluid
radiation- energy transmitted by electromagnetic waves
thermal conductivity- Heat travels from low pressure to high pressure. There is no such thing as "cold", it is simply just the absence of heat. When you touch something cold and your hand doesn't feel the "cold", it just feel the heat leaving it.
fluids- anything that flows. In particular, any liquid or gas.
pressure- Force per surface area where the force is normal to the surface. Pressure is measured in Pascals.
buoyancy- The apparent loss of weight of an object immersed or submerged in a fluid.
buoyant force- The net upward force exerted by a fluid on a submerged or immersed object.
specific heat- The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a relatively high specific heat of 1. Materials with a high specific heat take longer to heat up, but also take longer to cool down. On the other hand, materials with low specific heat capacities heat up quickly but also lose their heat quickly.
Laws of Thermodynamics
0th Law- explains temperature- if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are also in equilibrium with each other
1st Law- conservation of energy- energy is neither created nor destroyed- heat is a form of energy
2nd Law- entropy increases- disorder increases
3rd Law- Temperature can never get to absolute zero- heat always exists
conduction- energy transfer within certain materials
convection-heat transfer by movement of the heated substance itself, such as by currents in a fluid
radiation- energy transmitted by electromagnetic waves
thermal conductivity- Heat travels from low pressure to high pressure. There is no such thing as "cold", it is simply just the absence of heat. When you touch something cold and your hand doesn't feel the "cold", it just feel the heat leaving it.
fluids- anything that flows. In particular, any liquid or gas.
pressure- Force per surface area where the force is normal to the surface. Pressure is measured in Pascals.
buoyancy- The apparent loss of weight of an object immersed or submerged in a fluid.
buoyant force- The net upward force exerted by a fluid on a submerged or immersed object.
specific heat- The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a relatively high specific heat of 1. Materials with a high specific heat take longer to heat up, but also take longer to cool down. On the other hand, materials with low specific heat capacities heat up quickly but also lose their heat quickly.
Laws of Thermodynamics
0th Law- explains temperature- if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are also in equilibrium with each other
1st Law- conservation of energy- energy is neither created nor destroyed- heat is a form of energy
2nd Law- entropy increases- disorder increases
3rd Law- Temperature can never get to absolute zero- heat always exists
Reflection
This project was rather extensive. Even though it was our longest and most serious project I learned a lot of new things. Out of all of my groups so far, I believe that this one worked together the best. We managed to stay focused, but also have a lot of fun during this project. Sometimes we seemed to be behind other groups, but we did what we had to in order to catch up with everyone else. We communicated our ideas very well, and allowed each group member to voice their opinions. We also made sure to split up the work load evenly between the four of us. One thing I learned about myself is that when I really need to I can quickly become focused and get a lot of work done. On the other hand, I also learned that it is alright to have fun and joke around (as long as you still get your work done).
One thing I think our group could have done better was keeping up with other groups. At one point all of the other groups were already putting their presentations together, and our group still hadn't decided if we wanted to made a poster or a power point. We quickly overcame this by talking about different ideas for our presentation. We decided on a poster because that way people could look at what they wanted to instead of having to flip through slides. After taking time to think for a little bit, our group was able to keep up. One other thing we could have done better would be making our overall presentation cleaner and more crisp. I think sometimes we let our nerves get the better of us. I believe that we could have been much more confident in our work. All together I think this project was the perfect balance between fun and work. I am thrilled that we will be able to actually construct the building so that everybody can see what the STEM community can do!
One thing I think our group could have done better was keeping up with other groups. At one point all of the other groups were already putting their presentations together, and our group still hadn't decided if we wanted to made a poster or a power point. We quickly overcame this by talking about different ideas for our presentation. We decided on a poster because that way people could look at what they wanted to instead of having to flip through slides. After taking time to think for a little bit, our group was able to keep up. One other thing we could have done better would be making our overall presentation cleaner and more crisp. I think sometimes we let our nerves get the better of us. I believe that we could have been much more confident in our work. All together I think this project was the perfect balance between fun and work. I am thrilled that we will be able to actually construct the building so that everybody can see what the STEM community can do!