Building Insulation and Efficiency Concepts

Flashcards covering key concepts related to building insulation, heat transfer, energy efficiency, and solar thermal systems.

Dewpoint

The temperature at which air becomes saturated with water vapor, leading to condensation and potential moisture accumulation.

Conduction

Heat flow through solid materials, such as heat loss through walls.

Convection

Heat transfer via fluid motion, like warm air rising near a radiator.

Radiation

Heat emitted as infrared waves, such as sunlight warming a floor.

Occam’s Razor

A principle that favors simplicity, suggesting that the least complex solution is often the best.

Single-point-of-failure design

A design where the failure of one component disrupts the entire system, which is undesirable because it lacks redundancy.

Frost pattern analysis

Uniform frost on a roof indicates good insulation, while uneven frost suggests heat loss.

R-value

A measure of insulation's ability to resist heat flow, with higher values indicating better insulation.

Vapor barrier

A material used to prevent warm, moist air from reaching cold surfaces where condensation could occur.

Low-emissivity (Low-e) glass

Glass with a thin metallic coating that reflects infrared heat while allowing visible light, improving thermal efficiency.

Thermal break

A non-conductive material used in exterior doors to reduce heat flow and improve energy efficiency.

Ice dams

Blockages formed by refreezing water from melted roof snow, which can cause drainage problems and roof damage.

Mechanical ventilation

A system used to exchange stale indoor air with fresh air while recovering heat.

Sprayed foam insulation

An insulation type that offers superior air sealing and a high R-value per inch to enhance energy efficiency.

Hydronic heating

A heating system that uses water in radiators or underfloor pipes to distribute heat evenly.

Thermal mass

Dense materials that absorb and store heat from sunlight, releasing it slowly to stabilize temperatures.

Active solar thermal

Systems that use pumps or fans to move heated fluid, like solar water heaters.

Passive solar thermal

Design strategies that naturally harness solar energy without mechanical systems.

Fresnel lens

A lens designed with concentric grooves that concentrate sunlight, making it useful in solar thermal applications.

Phase-change materials (PCMs)

Materials that absorb or release heat during phase changes, helping to buffer temperature fluctuations.

Optimal solar panel angle

The angle of solar panels adjusted by season to maximize solar exposure, such as steeper angles in winter.