Habitat For Humanity
Energy Efficiency and Construction Group
Final Report 12.18.2002 ENG 199 HFH
Instructor Bruce Litchfield Project Assistant Clint Wilson
Group Members Michael Sit Derek Bodart Nils Oberg Jeffrey Dolian Elizabeth Zimmermann Connie Mui msit@uiuc.edu dwbodart@uiuc.edu noberg@uiuc.edu dolian@uiuc.edu ezmmrmnn@uiuc.edu kitmui@uiuc.edu
ABSTRACT The group‟s initial goal was to research and develop new ways of making Habitat for Humanity homes more energy efficient while still maintaining their cost effectiveness. Alternative building technologies can facilitate the reduction of the overall overhead of Habitat homes. The topics the group researched included alternative Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems as well as easily implemented energy efficient measures that a current or future Habitat for Humanity homeowner could utilize. The key features of our group‟s work throughout the semester include the “Homeowner‟s Energy Savings Calendar,” passive solar design, and geothermal energy systems analysis. The group also assimilated information from various resources that included previous analysis for Habitat for Humanity homes, local businesses, and other Internet based resources. The group‟s recommendation is to implement all minimal cost, energy efficient measures, at least in a prototype. These measures include passive solar design, geothermal systems, and the use of the “Homeowner‟s Energy Savings Calendar” created by the group.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 4 1.1 Problem Statements ................................................................. 4 1.2 Project Scope ......................................................................... 4 1.3 Project ................................................................................. 4 GEOTHERMAL GROUP ....................................................................... 7 2.1 Overviews.............................................................................. 7 2.2 Geothermal System .................................................................. 8 2.3 Energy Savings ...................................................................... 11 2.4 Environmentally Friendly ......................................................... 12 2.5 Maintenance ........................................................................ 13 2.6 Convenience, Comfort, and Safety ............................................. 14 2.7 Recommended Suppliers .......................................................... 14 2.8 Local Contractors .................................................................. 15 CALENDAR GROUP ......................................................................... 16 3.1 Calendar Layout .................................................................... 17 3.2 Contents of Calendar .............................................................. 17 3.3 Cost and Suppliers ................................................................. 18 3.4 Recommended Suppliers .......................................................... 19 3.5 Alternative Plan .................................................................... 20 BRAINSTORMING AND RESEARCH GROUP............................................... 21 4.1 Definition ............................................................................ 21 4.2 Research ............................................................................. 22 4.3 Benefits .............................................................................. 29 SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT SEMESTER .................................................... 31 ALTERNATIVES .............................................................................. 33 ETHICS ....................................................................................... 34 A NOTE ON THE APPENDICES ............................................................ 35 BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................. 36
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INTRODUCTION 1.1 Problem Statements Habitat for Humanity requested that ideas be researched and developed in order to find ways to make their homes more energy efficient while still maintaining their cost effectiveness. This will lead to alternative construction plans and design projects that will make homes more energy efficient and lower the total cost of the home over time. Our team also wants to raise the awareness of energy efficiency to homeowners.
1.2 Project Scope The six members of the team as well as the project coordinator will work together during the course of the fall semester to research ways in which to make Habitat for Humanity homes more energy efficient while still maintaining their cost effectiveness. The teams will provide ideas and educational tools in which to make Habitat for Humanity homes more energy efficient. A number of the ideas will build off of current Habitat for Humanity home designs, while others can be simply added into the current home designs. The team will work at the University of Illinois to conduct most of its research but will still contact local businesses for information.
1.3 Project The team has three objectives that they want to complete by the end of the semester. The first objective is to research geothermal energy as a source
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of heating and cooling for Habitat for Humanity homes. The second is to create an energy savings calendar for current and future Habitat for Humanity homeowners to use. The final objective is to brainstorm alternative heating and cooling methods that would be followed up by research. The team has decided that the most feasible way to complete all of the work is to divide into three groups, each consisting of two original team members. Jeffrey Dolian and Derek Bodart will work together to research geothermal energy. Connie Mui and Elizabeth Zimmermann will create an energy savings calendar which will be named the “Homeowner‟s Energy Savings Calendar.” The final two group members, Nils Oberg and Mike Sit, will brainstorm and research alternative heating and cooling resources. The group chose solutions that will be feasible in the near future.
The calendar is a very good idea because it costs very little and can be given to every homeowner. Energy saving tips displayed on a calendar will have a better chance of being implemented than another medium because it will be looked at more often.
Second, passive solar design was chosen because it has a very low initial cost and, from the group‟s research, energy savings can be achieved by up to 75%. The initial costs would be architectural, as in architect fees, some materials for extended overhangs, and materials for a thermal mass, as well as computer software for analysis of a passive solar design.
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Third, the group chose geothermal for three reasons. First, the group is interested in the idea of designing geothermal communities, which would consist of about four homes close together. The benefit would be that the geothermal system would only have to be installed once, which would reduce cost. The second reason is that a geothermal system would reduce energy costs in the end. Finally, a geothermal system is environmentally friendly, and could possibly take advantage of various tax incentives and/or government grants.
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GEOTHERMAL GROUP The geothermal group began by exploring what possibilities geothermal energy held for Habitat for Humanity. They researched the various types of loops that could be installed, examined cost analysis of geothermal over various alternative heating and cooling systems, and investigated the possibilities of geothermal communities. The two main companies contacted were WaterFurnace International and Alliant.
2.1 Overviews Geothermal energy provides a reliable, cost effective way of heating and cooling any size building. Whether it is a small home or large hospital, geothermal energy can be used to maintain a constant desirable air temperature. Over the years, geothermal energy systems have continued to decline in price, and are now able to pay for themselves in utility bill savings within seven years. Heating and cooling of the future, geothermal energy systems are more efficient than High Efficiency Air Conditioning systems and over three times as efficient as a standard heating system. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Geothermal systems are the most energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost effective comfort systems available” (WaterFurnace).
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2.2 Geothermal System The heating process involves the extraction of heat energy from the ground, and moving it into the building. Transferring the heat from the earth to the building involves a cycle of evaporation, compression, condensation and expansion. A refrigerant is used as the heat transfer medium. The heating cycle starts as cold, liquid refrigerant passes through a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger and absorbs heat from the low temperature ground loops. The refrigerant evaporates into a gas as heat is absorbed. The gaseous refrigerant passes through a compressor where the refrigerant is pressurized, raising its temperature to over 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot gas then circulates through a refrigerant-to-air heat exchanger where heat is removed as the cooler air from the home passes over it. Now heated, this warm air is delivered into the building by way of the blower and the duct system. Upon releasing its heat energy into the air, the refrigerant returns to the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger where the process is repeated continuously during the heating process. A by-product of the heating function is the production of hot water that is delivered to the water heater by way of a small pump (WaterFurnace).
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Heating Process
The cooling process involves the extraction of heat energy from the air in the building, and moving it into the earth. Transferring the heat from the air in the building to the earth involves a cycle of expansion, condensation, compression, condensation and evaporation. A refrigerant is used as the heat transfer medium. The cooling cycle starts as the compressor delivers refrigerant to the water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. Heat from the refrigerant is absorbed by the low temperature ground loops resulting in the refrigerant turning cold. The cold refrigerant passes through a refrigerant-toair heat exchanger. As warm, humid air from the return air duct system is
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passed over the cold air coil, the air is cooled and dehumidified the returned into the building, cooling the space. The heat from the warm air that returns to the unit is absorbed by the cold refrigerant, turning the refrigerant into a hot gas. The hot refrigerant is returned to the compressor where the process is repeated continuously during the cooling process. A portion of the heat returning to the compressor (from the hot return air) is diverted to another refrigerant circuit that generates hot water and delivers it to the water heater by way of a small pump (WaterFurnace). Cooling Process
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2.3 Energy Savings Energy efficiency in geothermal systems directly relates to the savings that the system provides to the homeowner. A geothermal heat pump can move more than three units of heat for every one unit of electricity used to operate the system. This dramatically cuts utility bills by 30 to 50 percent compared to conventional heating and cooling systems. Maintenance costs are also cut dramatically by the fact that all of the equipment is either protected indoors or underground. In general, the average cost of purchasing and installing a geothermal system is equivalent to a traditional system. The added cost is incurred during installation of ground loop piping, which will vary depending on the type of loop chosen. The extra cost, however, is justified in two ways. The equipment life of a geothermal heat pump is estimated to be about 20 years, compared to 10 years with a traditional air-source heat pump or air conditioner. The extra cost is also supplemented by lower ownership and operating costs. Over the life of the system, savings can be in upwards of $20,000 (Alliant)!
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Average Energy Costs Per Year
Lacation: Indianapolis, Indiana
1800 1600
Average Cost Per Year (dollars)
($.06/kWh; $.6/ccf; $1/gal)
1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Geothermal Air Source Heat Pump Natural Gas Propane oil
Type of Energy System Used
(Source: Alliant)
2.4 Environmentally Friendly Geothermal systems are one of the most environmentally friendly heating systems on the market today. With no carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or other greenhouse gasses being emitted, geothermal systems in no way harm the atmosphere (WaterFurnace). In fact, geothermal systems currently in use assist in removing more than 1.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions from the atmosphere every year. The only environmentally harmful aspect of a geothermal system is that a minimal amount of electricity is required to run the heat pump and blower, which must be provided by the local power company. However, the amount of electricity that is required is dramatically less than that for any other type of conventional energy system.
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Perhaps the most important aspect of geothermal energy is that it is naturally renewable and non polluting (Alliant).
2.5 Maintenance The maintenance required for a geothermal system is lower than one might expect because all equipment is located either indoors or underground. There are simply three precautions that any geothermal systems owner should take in order to maintain the quality of their system. The first is to read the owner‟s manual. This allows the owner to identify and understand how key parts of the system work. The second is to inspect the air filters occasionally. Make sure the air filters are clean and properly in place; a heat pump should never be operated without air filters. The final precaution is to check the condensation pans to be sure the system is draining properly. The rest of the maintenance is taken care of by the geothermal specialist that installs the system. Every year, a service technician will inspect visually the entire system, perform a refrigerant leak test, clean the evaporator coil, as well as check the compressor, fan, and pump motors. The technician will also record all data in a log book so that deterioration can be detected easily. If a geothermal system is maintained well, is can have a life expectancy of up to 30 years, and the ground loops themselves are often warranted for up to 50 years (Alliant).
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2.6 Convenience, Comfort, and Safety The convenience of a geothermal system is obvious. The standard geothermal equipment provides both heating and cooling in one system, rather than two separate systems. The convenience is extended to by the fact that geothermal systems can easily and inexpensively be subdivided or expanded to accommodate building remodeling or additions. The quality of comfort a geothermal system provides is nothing less than extraordinary. Drafts associated with conventional forced-air systems are eliminated; the air maintains a constant temperature while floating seemingly still (Alliant). Geothermal systems are also safer than a conventional forced-air system for a number of reasons. First there are no dangers of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning (Alliant). There is also no risk of fire because there is no flame. Flues and odors are absent as well. Geothermal systems also contain high efficiency filters that remove harmful dust and pollens from the air to improve indoor air quality (WaterFurnace).
2.7 Recommended Suppliers The group has been in frequent contact with WaterFurnace International regarding their interest in working with Habitat for Humanity. A representative from the corporation, Jeff Hursp, expressed his enthusiasm in working with Habitat for Humanity on providing and installing geothermal systems. He hopes to continue keeping in touch with the local Habitat for Humanity and in the
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future, install a number of geothermal systems into Habitat for Humanity homes at little cost to the homeowner. He expressed his willingness to work with Habitat for Humanity and to provide any information they needed. He also insisted that WaterFurnace International would request no compensation for their work, only recognition.
2.8 Local Contractors The group contacted a local geothermal installer and WaterFurnace International Inc., a geothermal furnace manufacturer. After speaking with Jeff Hursp, a representative from WaterFurnace International Inc., he became very enthusiastic about working with a not for profit organization that provides housing for low-income families. He also provided us with cost analysis of geothermal energy along with a number of other types of heating and cooling possibilities, all of which will be provided later in the report.
Fig 1 (from left to right) Lake, horizontal, and vertical loopings for geothermal.
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CALENDAR GROUP The calendar group began by collecting relatively simple energy savings tips that any Habitat for Humanity resident could incorporate into their home. After gathering all information that was necessary, the group chose a format in which to present the energy savings tips. The group chose to display the information in the form of an energy savings calendar. The calendar allows for easy reference as well as a daily reminder to incorporate energy savings ideas into their current homes. The calendar will be printed and bound, then distributed to current and future Habitat for Humanity homeowners. We chose to use the calendar as our medium on which to display energy efficiency information other than a brochure or poster format because the homeowner would use it more often than the other alternatives and in return incorporate the tips. The problem with the brochure is that it might not be looked at more than once and might contain too much information for the homeowner to absorb in one reading. The poster would be too cluttered for the homeowner to retain the information. Even though the calendar would be obsolete within one year the information would be slowly instilled in the homeowners mind after they looked at the calendar everyday and the homeowner would learn more. They would also be informed of the seasonal tips at the right time of the year.
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3.1 Calendar Layout The calendar will be printed on durable 8.5”x11” paper, front and back with color. The calendar will be printed on light cardboard papers and bound with a coil. The first page will be the cover page. The next 2 pages will be an introduction to Habitat for Humanity and a guide on how to read EnergyGuide and Energy Star labels. The following 12 pages will be months and energy saving tips. The last 2 pages will be Internet resources and spaces for memos and telephone numbers. A total of 8 pages will be needed. Interesting pictures of Habitat and energy charts will be incorporated to capture the reader‟s attention and to make it interesting. It will be informative and contain thoroughly researched tips that are useful to the homeowner. Energy saving tips will be arranged according to the seasons and weather of that certain month. We will use Microsoft Word to design this calendar since it is the most widely and easiest to use. The Microsoft Word file for this calendar is too big to fit on a floppy disk. A zip disk will be use to store the calendar file.
3.2 Contents of Calendar a. Introduction to the homeowner’s new Habitat for Humanity home b. Energy Star Labels - This section will describe an Energy Star Label, how to interpret them, and where to find them in order to help the homeowner buy more energy efficient appliances. c. Statistics – Chart of graph that show major costs of utilities, an alphabetical list of appliances and their energy consumption, and
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statistics on using energy efficient appliances versus regular appliances to convey the impact of every appliance used on monthly energy bills. d. Quick Fact - Contain facts on energy efficiency and the benefits of being efficient to motivate the homeowner. e. Seasonal Energy Tips - This section will contain tips for keeping the house efficient when the weather changes. f. Energy Saving Tips by Rooms – The homeowner will be given simple energy saving tips for each room of their house. g. Internet Resources -This section will help the homeowner research certain topics further or direct the homeowner where to get supplies.
3.3 Cost and Suppliers
UpClose 714 S. Sixth St. Champaign, IL 217-384-7474
Dup-it 808 S. Sixth St. Champaign, IL 217-337-7000
We picked these two companies because they are the least expensive of all of the printing companies in our area.
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STAPLED with 11" x 17" papers UpClose 50 calendars Printing Cost w/ Staples Total Cost per Calendar $237.00 $8.50 $245.50 $4.91 Dup-it $400.00 $37.80 $437.80 $8.76
COMB Bindings with 8.5" x 11" papers UpClose 50 calendars Printing Cost $207.00 w/ Comb Bindings $42.50 Total $249.50 Cost per Calendar $4.99
Dup-it $480.00 $37.80 $517.80 $10.36
COIL Bindings with 8.5”x 11” Papers UpClose 50 calendars Printing Cost $207.00 w/ Coil Bindings $80.00 Total $287.00 Cost per Calendar $5.74
Dup-it $480.00 $60.00 $540.00 $10.80
3.4 Recommended Suppliers We recommend UpClose because they have by far the most reasonable price. It will take less than a week for UpClose to print 50 calendars depending on the paper supplies they currently have. Kinkos is by the far the most expensive. However, UpClose doesn‟t have a Zip drive. In order to take advantages of the low printing cost of UpClose, we recommended an alternative and safe way to mass print this calendar. Kinkos is the only local
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printing company with a Zip drive. Take the calendar Zip disk to Kinkos and print out just one copy of it, not bounded. Take this hard copy to UpClose and they could mass print the calendar base on this hard copy. The group thinks that printing the calendar on 8.5” x 11” paper with coil binding will be the best and most attractive way.
3.5 Alternative Plan Different alternatives considered were a brochure or a laminated poster. The brochure would be approximately 17 pages long. Tabs would be placed on the side of the page of each new section so the homeowner could easily refer back to a section and graphics and charts would show comparisons to make energy efficiency more understandable. Information displayed on a laminated poster could then be hung in a work area such as by a clothes washer and dryer. The information would be organized such that it was easy to read and attractively displayed. The printing cost for brochures or the posters are less expensive than the calendar but less attractive.
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BRAINSTORMING AND RESEARCH GROUP The brainstorming group began by assembling a number of ideas that would be researched later. These ideas included solar power, fuel cells, passive solar design, government grants, computer software, and straw bale insulation. After the group‟s initial research was complete, the group compiled all the information. The group decided to pursue passive solar design after discovering that it could make the biggest impact in energy efficiency with the smallest initial cost. The group also found that energy analysis software could enhance the design phase of a passive solar home. The results of the group‟s project do not mean that the other technologies researched should be discarded, but just put on hold for a while, as they will be cheaper and more applicable in the future.
4.1 Definition Passive solar design uses the sun to regulate the temperature of the house. This is accomplished by designing the house in such a way that will utilize the sun‟s rays in the most efficient manner. The two most important ways of achieving this are by 1. Elongating the house on an east-west axis and positioning the most windows on the south side, and 2. Using thermal mass to capture the heat during sunlight hours and release it at night.
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4.2 Research There are two primary passive solar design systems: 1. Direct gain, in which solar energy is absorbed within the structure and released throughout cooler periods of the day, and 2. Indirect gain, in which a heat-storage device absorbs solar energy either on the wall of the house or within the house wall. These two systems differ primarily in where the thermal mass is stored. The group focused on direct gain systems since these are the most common implementations, but also researched some indirect gain options as well.
4.2.1 Orientation The most important component in passive solar design is the orientation of the house. The house should have the maximum sun exposure to the south, and should be elongated on an east-west axis. It is important to note that even without using thermal mass, energy savings of 10 to 20 percent can be achieved, just by reorienting the house to the south (the orientation should be within 30 degrees of south). 1 This design would result in a rectangle shape, and could pose a potential problem, due to the type of lots available to Habitat, but nevertheless these ideas should be used whenever possible. Most windows should be placed on the south side of the house, while north-facing windows should be minimized because of heat loss. The most desirable window
1
Turn to Solar for Lower Heating Costs. (See Appendix C.1.)
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to wall ratio is 25–35 percent 2 (i.e. 25-35 percent of the south wall should be glass). In addition, more used living space should be placed on the south side as well. Figure 2 demonstrates the benefits of placing windows on the south side 3. („North‟ means the most windows are facing north, „East West‟ means most windows are facing either east or west, „Horizontal‟ means skylights, and „South‟ means most windows are south-facing.)
Fig 2
4.2.2 Thermal Mass for Direct Gain Systems The thermal mass is the second most important component in passive solar design. The thermal mass can be put in the floor, walls, or ceiling. The best location for the thermal mass is in a south-facing room with several windows. Best results are achieved when the thermal mass is distributed evenly in the room with some of the thermal mass in direct sunlight. 4 This
2 3
Passive Solar Heating, Cooling, and Daylighting. (See Appendix C.2.) Building Placement and Orientation on a Site. (See Appendix C.3.) 4 Passive Solar Home Design Checklist. (See Appendix C.4.)
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system does not allow the use of carpeting. One of the simplest and most efficient implementations involves using a concrete floor with tile as the finished covering. The concrete floor need not be throughout the house; it should merely be in the room where most of the windows are. Figure 3 illustrates how this setup works. 5
Fig 3
4.2.3 Thermal Mass for Indirect Gain Systems In an indirect gain system, the thermal mass is stored either within the house wall or on the exterior of the wall. There are a variety of indirect gain systems, including Trombe walls and phase change materials. A Trombe wall consists of glass glazing on the exterior, and then a layer of heat-absorbent material such as concrete or water. 6 Water is several times more efficient than masonry and is much cheaper to implement. 7
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Passive Solar Guidelines. (See Appendix C.5.) ISEA Fact Sheet #2 – Passive Solar I. (See Appendix C.6.) 7 Phase Change Materials for Solar Heat Storage. (See Appendix C.7.)
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Phase change materials (PCMs) are becoming more popular in passive solar design. There are several forms of PCMs, including tubes for walls and floor tiles. PCMs use chemical bonds to store heat and work by absorbing heat until their melting point is reached. At this temperature, they absorb large amounts of heat without getting warmer. PCMs store 5-14 times more heat per unit volume than conventional solar heat storage materials such as water and masonry. 8
4.2.4 Shading and Overhangs Another way to cut energy bills is with strategic shading. This can be done in two ways. The first is with trees. Trees that provide year-round shading should be minimized on the south side, as they will interfere with the sun‟s rays during the winter. Trees can be used on the other sides for shading, as well as using deciduous trees on the south. Considering that most Habitat homes do not have air-conditioners, there are virtually no cooling costs, but the setup will provide a more comfortable home in the summer.
Extending overhangs can also enhance a passive solar design. Extended overhangs are placed on south-facing walls in such a way that sunlight is admitted in the winter, but blocked in the summer. This is possible in the Midwest, because the sun is at a high angle in the summer and a low angle in
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Phase Change Materials for Solar Heat Storage. (See Appendix C.7.)
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the winter, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5. 9 Overhangs are essential for cooling in the summer. Overhang extension length is a function of latitude. For Central Illinois, an 8-foot wall requires an overhang of 38 inches, and a 12foot wall requires an overhang of 57 inches. These overhang sizes shade the entire wall from top to bottom, and shorter variations could be used just to shade windows. An example of how overhangs are used with passive solar design is shown in figure 6 10.
Fig 4 - Summer
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Passive Solar Design. (See Appendix C.8.) Zion Energy-Efficient Features. (See Appendix C.9.)
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Fig 5 - Winter
Fig 6
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4.2.5 Software To achieve the most benefits, the group proposes the use of computer software to assist in the design of the house. This software can be purchased, or an architect already familiar with such software can be hired. There are numerous software packages available. The group found software that other passive solar design researchers and users had used.
Energy-10 is a design and analysis software package for the analysis of energy and cost savings. It can be purchased for $250, or for students or faculty, $50. According to the Sustainable Buildings Industry Council (SBIC) website http://www.sbicouncil.org/store/software.php, which distributes the software, the software analyzes the benefits of “day lighting, passive solar heating, natural ventilation, well-insulated building envelopes, better windows, lighting systems, mechanical equipment, and more.”11 It also includes the WeatherMaker software utility for creating locale-specific weather data for a more accurate analysis.
Other packages that the group researched include the “Guidelines for Home Building” package and EnergyPlus. The “Guidelines for Home Building” package includes the BuilderGuide software for energy-use calculations and worksheets for solar home design. This can be purchased from the SBIC for $100. EnergyPlus is a free U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) software package.
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SBIC Guidelines and Software. (See Appendix C.10.)
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It provides a complete modeling solution, including energy simulation and building performance. This package also provides a method for modeling passive solar homes. However, due to its technical complexity and the number of features not used, the group recommends that this software not be used. The group recommends that Energy-10 be used instead. A comprehensive listing of available energy-related software tools is available at the DOE Office of Building Technology website http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/tools_directory/database/page.cfm?Menu =7&Desc=Alphabetical+List.
4.3 Benefits There are several key benefits to a passive solar design. First, there are no mechanical parts in this kind of system. This means that there are no worries about movable parts breaking or about components needing repair after a certain period. If designed properly, the house can keep itself cool via overhangs. In addition, concentrating windows on the south side allows more light in than normal.
Another key benefit lies in the fact that the house utilizes the sun‟s heat. The group can confidently say that the homeowner will realize a drop in energy bills with a small initial investment. According to the Illinois Solar Energy Association, a properly built passive solar home may cost up to 5% more
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than a normal home of equivalent specifications. 12 However, based on our research, passive solar design could result in energy savings of up to seventy five percent. 13 The initial cost could be reduced, if Habitat can get away with installing a smaller heater.
12 13
ISEA Fact Sheet #3 – Passive Solar Energy II. (See Appendix C.11.) Harvesting the Sun in the Midwest. See also: Sixty-Three Percent Energy Cost Savings Achieved through Low-Energy Design Process. (See Appendices C.12 and C.13.)
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SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT SEMESTER The group stresses the fact that the kind of research performed by the group this semester will benefit Habitat for Humanity in the future, and should not be dismissed. However, the group is aware that the current setup and relationship did not work for the best. Therefore, the group suggests a different agenda for next semester‟s group. The group thinks that future groups should work with Habitat offices higher in the hierarchical order, on a regional or national level. The group has found out that at least at the national level, Habitat has already researched energy efficiency and government grants. In fact, a state agency gave a presentation on state grants available to nonprofit organizations to Habitat.
The group suggests that future teams work on specific and concrete projects. One possible solution could be to help them work on already existing Habitat projects at the national level. These projects would be more tangible, which the group found a lack of with its project.
Due to the scope of the ENG/LAS 199 class, the group was able to only do research. While this research is valuable, the group feels that the next step for Habitat is to construct prototype houses implemented passive solar design and geothermal energy systems. The group feels that this is critical to the advancement of energy efficiency in Habitat for Humanity. Prototype houses are needed to establish a baseline that computer models can be compared to.
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Prototype houses can be used to collect data for computer modeling as well as to find out the actual (as opposed to the theoretical) performance of the technologies researched. It is also possible for a future group to work with the EPICS group at Purdue University (http://epics.ecn.purdue.edu/hfh), since the scope of such a project might be beyond a small group of students.
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ALTERNATIVES The basis of the group‟s project was to do a lot of research, and find anything that might be feasible in the near future. Therefore, it is somewhat difficult to specify alternatives, since there were so many possibilities. However, the Calendar Group could have, for instance, made a brochure, or online tutorial. The Geothermal Group did not really have any alternatives, other than different types of geothermal systems. The third sub-group, the Brainstorming Group, had in essence many alternatives. The group researched numerous topics, like solar power, fuel cells, government grants, and passive design. In, the end though, the sub-group decided on focusing on passive design, since it has low initial cost, and considerable energy savings.
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ETHICS Since the primary purpose of the group was to research energy efficiency, the group did not see any potential problems with ethics. The group was not involved in creating anything except the calendar. The group took into consideration the kinds of solutions it suggested. It concluded that all of the technologies that the group researched are considered “green,” therefore implementing such technologies would in essence make the houses more environmentally friendly. If anything, the group‟s findings will only help people and the environment.
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A NOTE ON THE APPENDICES Detailed information is available in Portable Document Format (PDF format) in the appendices. Appendices beginning with the letter „A‟ belong to the Geothermal Group, appendices beginning with the letter „B‟ belong to the Calendar Group, and appendices beginning with the letter „C‟ belong to the Brainstorming Group. These appendices are included in PDF format for ease of viewing. However, they are copyrighted by the owners of the sources that the PDF files where generated from and as such may not be redistributed to the public in any form without prior written permission for the original authors or organizations.
A PDF viewer may be downloaded free of charge at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Calendar Group
Bathroom: Showerheads. Sahra. 2 December 2002 . Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home. U.S. Department of Energy. 24 October 2002 . Energy Saving Tips. Conectiv Power Delivery. 2 December 2002 . Heating and Cooling Tips. Nexus Energyguide. 24 October 2002 . Home Energy Saving Tips. Energy Ideas Clearinghouse. 2 December 2002 . Low Flow Aerators. Eartheasy. 2 December 2002 . Reduce High Energy Costs with Compact Fluorescent Lights from Topbulb. Tobbulb. 2 December 2002 . Saving Energy and Money with Setback Thermostats. Crum Electric Supply Co. 2 December 2002 .
Brainstorming Group
Passive Solar Home Design Checklist. North Carolina State University. 8 December 2002 . Passive Solar Guidelines. Sustainable Sources. 8 December 2002 . Turn to Solar for Lower Heating Costs. Oikos. 9 December 2002 . Passive Solar Heating, Cooling, and Daylighting. U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 9 December 2002 . Building Placement and Orientation on a Site. U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 9 December 2002 .
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Zion Energy-Efficient Features. National Renewable Energy Lab, High Performance Buildings Research. 8 December 2002 . Passive Solar Design. University of Colorado – Personal Website. 8 December 2002 . ISEA Fact Sheet #2 – Passive Solar Energy I. Illinois Solar Energy. 10 December 2002 . ISEA Fact Sheet #3 – Passive Solar Energy II. Illinois Solar Energy. 10 December 2002 . SBIC Guidelines and Software. Sustainable Buildings Industry Council. 8 December 2002. < http://www.sbicouncil.org/store/software.php>. Harvesting the Sun in the Midwest. U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 8 December 2002 . See also: Sixty-Three Percent Energy Cost Savings Achieved through Low-Energy Design Process. National Renewable Energy Lab, High Performance Buildings Research. 8 December 2002 PDF: .
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