ARCHTECH 210 – Environmental Design 1: Heat Transfer and Energy Balance

This set of flashcards covers key concepts in environmental design, focusing on heat transfer, energy balance, and sustainable building practices.

Heat Transfer

The process of thermal energy moving from high-temperature regions to low-temperature regions.

Conduction

Transfer of heat through direct contact between different objects or substances.

Convection

Transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquid or gas).

Radiation

Transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

Thermal Conductivity (λ)

Property of a material that describes its ability to conduct heat.

Thermal Resistance (R)

Measure of the opposition of materials and air spaces to the flow of heat.

Thermal Transmittance (U)

Measure of the overall rate of heat transfer through a particular section of construction.

Surface-to-Volume Ratio (S/V)

Ratio that describes the relationship between the surface area and the volume of a building, impacting energy efficiency.

Climate-Resilient Building

A building designed to resist changeable climatic conditions.

Material Reuse

The practice of salvaging materials from existing structures for use in new construction.

Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A method to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life.

Energy Balance

The equilibrium between heat losses and gains within a building.

Compactness Ratio

Ratio that describes the relationship between a building's surface area and its volume, affecting its energy performance.

Circular Design

Design approach focused on minimizing waste and maximizing resource reuse.

Passive House

A building standard that aims for high energy efficiency and comfort.