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 Residential Home Design & The Affect On Energy Usage

  

          
This project was created due to a request for a research site for public school students studying house design and its affect on energy usage.  This area of the website is a compilation of data, facts, and information to be used by students in the elementary through high school grades to study how the design, location and positioning of a residential house structure affects energy requirements. 

Of course it can be used by anyone interested in learning how much you could save by simply positioning your house different ways...where to plant deciduous (lose their leaves) trees...or will a radiant barrier in your attic help you save on air conditioning costs.

  • Below you will find a Table Of Contents of each page in this project
  • Each line is a link directly to that page.
  • All pages are graphics, therefore they will take time loading. 
  • We have provided a detailed summary with the links for you to determine whether the content is appropriate before you click to that page.
  • All pages are printable.

Please click here to contact us if you would like additional information included in this project.

 

 

General Information

  1. House Construction Drawing - side view of materials that make up house framing structure.
  2. House Exterior Wall - drawing of wall section with materials used to construct a wall.  

Insulation 

  1. R-Values Discussion - Understanding R-Values

  2. R-Values of Building Materials   Drywall - Flooring - Masonry

  3. R-Values of Building Materials II - Concrete Block - Roofing - Siding

  4. R-Values of Insulation Materials Fiberglas, rigid foam board, loose fill

  5. R-Values of Surfaces & Trapped Air Spaces Yes, air spaces do add insulation value.

  6. Attic R-Values Map of USA with climate zones noted for use with Attic R-Values Table

  7. Attic R-Values Table for climate zones noted from USA map

  8. Attic Radiant Barriers  Discussion of value, purpose and limited application of these devices.

  9. Average R-Value Wall's average R-Value probably lower than wall's insulation R-Value

  10. Air & Vapor Barriers....What Are they 

Heating

  1. Heat Load Discussion  What is it ?

  2. Example Of Worksheet to Calculate Heat load - Completed form

  3. Heat Load Calculation Discussion - Information needed for completing Heat Load Form

  4. Blank Heat Load Calculation Sheet - Uncompleted form for you to use

  5. Heating Leaks in a Home I -  Specific locations of leaks shown

  6. Heating Leaks in a Home II - Specific leakage amounts provided

  7. Discussion of Effect of  Wind Breaks on Heating Load  Planting trees could be important

  8. January Wind Direction Map - Useful for heating load calculation

  9. Thermal Characteristics of Glass - Discussion of different types of glass

  10. Thermal Glass Values Table - Gives R-Values of different glass types

  11. Degree Days Chart I  -  Of USA Cities - Used to calculate heating needs

  12. Degree Days Chart II - Of USA Cities - Used to calculate heating needs

 

Cooling

  1. Sizing of Air Conditioning Unit...Cooling Load Discussion  (Used with A/C Worksheet below)

  2. Example of Sizing Worksheet For Air Conditioning Unit  Completed example worksheet

  3. Explanation of Air Conditioning Calculation for A/C Worksheet below

  4. Instructions for worksheet For sizing of Air Conditioning Unit for A/C Worksheet below

  5. Blank Air Conditioning Worksheet to calculate amount of AC needed

  6. Energy efficiency Gained by Shading a Window From the Sun  

 

 

 

 

 

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