Exam 1 Building Systems

passive system

A passive system is a type of building system that relies on natural environmental processes for energy transfer and temperature regulation, minimizing the need for mechanical heating or cooling. Examples include strategies like natural ventilation, thermal mass, and daylighting.

renewable energy

Sources of energy that are replenished naturally, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

nonrenewable energy

Sources of energy that are finite and deplete over time, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

photovoltaic

cells that convert sunlight into electricity

carbon dioxide

exhaled by humans, fossil fuels burnt adding it to the air

Environmental protection agency

an independent executive agency of the United States federal government tasked with safeguarding human health and the environment

fossil fuels

such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas

electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetic spectrum of radiation emitted by the sun includes wavelengths ranging from extremely short x- rays to very long radio waves. Radiation is reflected, scattered, and absorbed by dust, smoke, gas molecules, ozone, carbon dioxide, and water vapor in the earth’s atmosphere

ultraviolet

wavelengths make up only a small percentage of the sun’s rays that reach sea level, and are too short to be

visible by the human eye

photosynthesis

producing the oxygen we breathe, the plants we

eat, and the fuels we use for heat and power. During photosynthesis, plants take carbon dioxide from the air and give back oxygen.

infrared

with wavelengths longer than visible light, carries the sun’s heat

hydroelectric power

energy that is produced when water stored behind a dam is released at high pressure. This

energy is transformed into mechanical energy, which is used by a turbine to generate electricity. In the United States, about 5% of

energy is produced by falling water.

geothermal energy

consists of the earth’s internal heat. About 10 ft below the surface, the earth maintains a fairly constant

temperature. A geothermal system collects, concentrates, and distributes this energy. There are two common applications of geo-

thermal energy: extraction of heat originating deep within the earth, and geo- exchange of heat near the surface using a heat pump.

geo exchange

uses a heat pump to extract heat from the ground just below the surface in the winter, and

uses the ground as a heat sink for summer cooling, so the same heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling.

biomass

organic matter of plants. Biomass can replace chemicals made from fossil fuels to generate electricity and

as fuel for transportation vehicles. plants grown for their energy content, and organic waste from agri-

culture, industry, or garbage

hydrogen

The most abundant element on earth, hydrogen is found in many organic compounds as well as water. Although not occurring

naturally as a gas, it can be separated from other elements and burned as a fuel.

net metering

only charges the user for

electricity used in excess of what they produce.

hydraulic fracking

poses significant

environmental risks, including the contamination of well water and the increased possibility of earthquakes. Extraction and transpor-

tation can emit methane, a greenhouse gas.

greenhouse gases

gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat from the sun and keep the planet warm enough to sustain life

methane

colorless, odorless, and flammable gas with the chemical formula CH₄

ozone

Most UV radiation is intercepted by the high-altitude ozone layer, but enough gets through to

burn our skin painfully.

chlorofluocarbon

, a type of chemical compound once widely used in refrigerators and aerosol sprays that damages the Earth's ozone layer

relative humidity

the amount of water vapor present in air expressed as a percentage of the amount needed for satura-

tion at the same temperature.

local climate

Designing for local climate conditions reduces the fuel needed to operate mechanical heating and cooling equipment. Interior

shading reduces the need for mechanical cooling, while operable window treatments allow in the sun’s warmth when desired

thermal lag

Because the earth stores heat and releases it at a later time,

a phenomenon known as thermal lag occurs in which afternoon temperatures are generally warmer than mornings.

microclimates

different from surrounding areas, which result from the interaction of the larger climate with

site-specific characteristics such as topography, vegetation, elevation, proximity to large bodies of water, views, and wind pat-

terns.

heat islands

with relatively warm year- round temperatures produced by heat

sources such as air conditioners, furnaces, electric lights, car engines, and building machinery.

cold climates

Cold climates feature long cold winters with short, very hot periods occurring occasionally during

the summer. Buildings emphasize heat retention. Few windows, protective south facing hillside, passive solar heating. PROTECT + RETAIN + CAPTURE USEFUL HEAT.

temperate climates

cold winters and hot summers. Encouraging air movement in hot weather while protecting against cold winters. South facing walls with summer shade, shade trees. ADAPT.

hot,arid climates

long hot summers and short sunny winters, Thick walls for thermal lag, courtyards and vegetation, solar shading, shaded small windows. SHADE + STORE + DELAY.

hot, humid climates

very long summers with slight seasonal variations and relatively

constant temperatures. Ventilation is key, airflow- large openings, overhangs, shutters, high ceilings, raised floors. SHADE + VENTILATE.

greenfields

Undeveloped natural properties that have experienced

little or no impact from human activities. Can include

agricultural land without activities other than farming.

brownfields

Abandoned, idle, or underused industrial and

commercial facilities for which expansion or

redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived

environmental contamination.

grayfields

Blighted or obsolete building sites on land that is not

necessarily contaminated.

blackfields

nclude properties such as abandoned coal strip mines

and subsurface mines

potable

Safe and clean enough for humans to drink.

surface runoff

the flow of water—from rain, melted snow, or other sources—over the land surface when the ground cannot absorb it fast enough.

building orientation

considerations include solar orientation, topography or adjacent structures, prevailing winds, available day-

light and shading, views, and landscaping and irrigation needs.

demolition-by-hand salvage

the building is taken apart and its constituent pieces are reused

passive design solutions

let nature do the work, and usually employ renewable energy resources.

The approach is to think small, simple, and local.

direct gain passive solar systems

introduce solar energy directly into the interior space through ordinary, ex: south facing glass windows, concrete and masonry floors, stone or brick interior walls, water filled containers, clerestory windows, overhangs.

fenestration

the arrangement of doors and windows along the outside of the building

indirect gain systems

place a thermal storage mass between the sun and the occupied space. thermal storage walls, roof ponds, and greenhouses and sunspaces, trombe wall

trombe wall systems

consists of thermal mass, often around 12"

(305 mm) thick, just inside a sheet of south‐facing glazing It requires heavy masonry construction and is usually made of a solid material such as concrete, brick, stone, or

adobe, or consists of steel containers of water. Tubes of translucent or transparent plastic that

allow some light to pass are also used

sunspace

used as an extension of the occupied space only when the weather permits. require venting to the outside to prevent over‐heating; openings can be smaller if a fan

is used

chases

distribution are integrated into building cores and stairwells

sustainability

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs ofThe Brundtland Report

the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

sustainable design

holistic approach to building design that reduces negative social, economic, and ecological impacts on the environment through conservation and reuse of natural

resources, energy, water, and materials.

green design

Sustainable design is also called

regenerative design

Supporters of sustainable design are familiar with the saying, “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Today,

many designers are adding a fourth work, “regenerate”. produce positive environmental impact, leaving the world better off in terms of energy, water, and materials.

embodied energy

energy that is used to obtain, process, fabricate, transport, and dispose of a unit of building material. considers the impact of building energy

consumption, maintenance, and replacement.

energy loads

the amount of energy the building usesEnergy loads

to operate – are reduced by integration with the building site, use of renewable resources, the

design of the building envelope, the use of passive systems, and the selection of efficient lighting

and appliances.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

green building certificationLEED

program that reviews building projects according to sustainable building practices.

WELL

administered through the public International WELL Building Institute and

focuses on occupant health standards.

USGBC (US Green Building Council)

continues to revise LEED to meet current needs

high performance buildings

advanced structures designed to integrate and optimize energy efficiency, environmental conservation, safety, and occupant comfort well beyond standard building codes

passive house

refers to a voluntarypassive house Passivhaus

standard for energy efficiency in a building that reduces its ecological footprint so that it requires

little energy for space heating or cooling

metabolic rate

follows a normal daily cycle, and metabolic rate influenced by what, when, and how much we eat. varies with body surface area and weight, health, sex, and age. highest at around age 10, and lowest in old age. Pregnancy and lactation increases the rate by about 10%

thermal equilibrium

The set of conditions that allows your body to stay at the normal body temperature with the minimal amount of bodily regulation

thermal comfort

when thermal comfort heat production equals heat loss. Our mind feels alert, our body operates at maximum efficiency, and we are at our most productive.

psychrometry

the study of moist air. Moisture, heat, and air interact to affect building performance

lead

neurotoxin that accumulates in the body and is especially damaging to fetuses, infants, and young children, causing learning disabilities, nausea, neurological damage, and death

HEPA filter

Areas from which asbestos is being removed must be isolated using airtight plastic containment barriers, and kept under negative pressure with special HEPA filtration.

asbestos

white, light gray, or light brown, and looks like coarse fabric or paper; it may appear as a dense, pulpy mass of light gray, stucco‐like material applied to ceilings, beams, and columns.

mold

Dampness in buildings results from internal sources including leaking pipes or external sources like rainwater.