The idea of conserving energy is a multifacited game of minimizing the heat transfer from someplace hot to somplace cold. how to accomplish this can be first studied by looking at the Thermos Bottle.

Heat Losses in a Building.

Thermal Insulation Chapter 5

20% of energy consumed in the U.S. is used for space heating.

Recall the Cathedral in Bath England

Effect of Thermal Insulation. Limit Conductive Heat Losses

Q/t = [kA(T2-T1)]/L

  • Q/t = Heat Loss (or Gain during Summer)
  • K = Conductivity
  • A = Surface Area
  • (T2-T1) = Temperature Difference between inside and outside
  • L= thickness of material.

Low e Windows: Home Energy Magazine Online

Energy Conservation Basics Energy Conservation: Heating and Insulation

Insulation Information Click on Energy, then insulation. Also click on information regarding energy issues. For example, what is a ZEH?

Degree Days

Degree Days Article (U.S.News)

  • Unit Degree Day (650F - Average Outside Temperature) Each Day

R-value

R=L/k The thickness of the material divided by its conductivity.

R values for a wall made up of different materials add together.

RT=R1+R2+R3+...

Q=(A*(T2-T1)*t)/RT

For heat needs in an entire season

Q=(A*(Number of Annual Degree Days)*(24Hours/Day))/RT

Average Monthly 1971-2000 Heating Degree Days for Selected Cities

Air Infiltration ( Seal The Air Leaks)

  • Caulking
  • Automatic Closing of the furnace flue
  • Glass fireplace doors
  • Health effects
    • Increased Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide
    • Radon Gas

Water Heaters

  • Use 10% to 20% of the energy in a typical home.
  • Water Has A high specific heat, therefore it takes allot of energy to raise its temperature.
  • Save Energy by:
    • Lowering Temperature
    • Insulating exterior and hot water pipes
    • Reduce usage: Water saving devices (Front Loading Washers: High Spin Rates)
    • Electric Igniters (no pilot light)
    • Flue damper

Clothes dryer can use 15% of the electrical energy in a house

  • Use Outside or indoors drying methods
  • Use a gas dryer

Food Prep : Stove

  • Small well insulated ovens are move efficient
  • Waste heat goes into the house in the winter, adds to heating. Bake your own bread in the Winter

Lighting

  • 5% of the Total energy Usage goes to Lighting
  • Change to energy efficient Fluorescent Bulbs
  • Design for maximum light for daytime

The Energy Conserving House

  • California Example: A $2700 investment reduced usage by a factor of 3.
  • In Oregon EWEB: Energy Buy Back Program: Pay for Insulation upgrades to older homes.

Payback Periods:
Invest in energy conservation and save energy. Payback comes from the money saved by not using as much energy. Payback Times can be relatively short and can be made faster with rebate incentives form governments and local utilities.

For example, insulating a house or buying an energy saving appliance can sot you hundreds of dollars, but the paybeack time can be just a few years and then after those years, you are saving money and energy by consuming less energy.

Homework questions illustrates this.