Natural cooling for homes: low-energy concepts

Book · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5056157

Naumann, H; Quivik, F; Riley, T

In many cases it is possible to keep a living space cool, in a warm climate, without resorting to the use of refrigerative air conditioning with its high operating cost. There are a number of schemes for achieving this end and all rely on understanding the local climate and designing the dwelling to take advantage of natural conditions. Although many such schemes may be used solely in the construction of new buildings, some can be used on existing buildings or incorporated during remodeling. Many ancient cultures used a number of these schemes (e.g., carefully directed wind ventilation and use of thick thermal-mass walls of stone and adobe). The ancients were limited, however, by the lack of some of the excellent building materials available today, such as clear glass windows and good insulation, and of course, they had no mechanical aids such as pumps or fans. Even with the new materials and devices of today, it is still possible to take some of the ancient ideas and incorporte them into new buildings. Such new buildings, carefully designed, would require considerably less energy than conventional buildings to keep interior spaces at comfortable temperatures year-round. Such buildings can also be made compatible with the local environment. Low-energy cooling strategies discussed in this report are divided into three parts: climate; building performance; and mechanical aids.

• OSTI ID: 5056157
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
COOLING
VENTILATION
AIR CONDITIONING
BUILDING MATERIALS
CLIMATES
DESIGN
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
GROUND WATER
LANDSCAPING
PERFORMANCE
SITE SELECTION
THICKNESS
VENTILATION SYSTEMS
WALLS
WEATHER
BUILDINGS
DIMENSIONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
WATER
320101* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Residential Buildings- (-1987)
298000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Consumption & Utilization