Our year in NASA's far-out house'

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Pop. Mech.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5492891

Fantel, H

Tech House at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, was constructed as a test house with a variety of energy and resource conserving features which are controlled by a data aquisition computer system. Space heating is provided by roof-mounted solar collectors, an electrically powered heat pump, and a special fireplace which draws air from outside, heats water for storage in a grate unit, and circulates room air between the double walls of the firebox for additional heat transfer, the fireplace has an efficiency of 55%. Solar collectors also heat domestic hot water. The data aquisition and control systems consist of 100 sensors located throughout the house which relay information to the control system, a Tektronix 4051 computer may be programmed to control the interior environment and displays data on various operations. Other features of the house include urea-tripolymer foam insulation, double-glazed horizontal windows with .5-inch thick panes, exterior window shutters to reduce night heat losses by 65% and to block summer sunlight, vinyl weatherstripping, and air lock entryways with polyurethane insulated doors fitted with rubber lips at the base to restrict air flow. Bathtub, sink, laundry, and shower waste water were filtered and recycled for use in a water saving toilet. Problems initially encountered with the computer control system were resolved. Energy savings of $100/month were achieved by a family who occupied the home during a test period.

• OSTI ID: 5492891
• Journal Information: Pop. Mech.; (United States), Journal Name: Pop. Mech.; (United States) Vol. 151:6; ISSN POPMA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
BUILDINGS
COMPUTERS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
DATA ACQUISITION
DATA PROCESSING
ENERGY CONSERVATION
EQUIPMENT
FIREPLACES
HEAT PUMPS
HEAT SOURCES
HEATING
HEATING SYSTEMS
HOUSES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LIQUID WASTES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PROCESSING
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SHUTTERS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
SPACE HEATING
TEST FACILITIES
TESTING
THERMAL INSULATION
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER