Instrumented performance study of a passive solar heated earth sheltered residence

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5627806

Yarnell, R C; Yarnell, B K

This paper reports the results of a one year effort to gather performance data on an earth sheltered, passive solar house located in Carson City, Nevada. Automatic equipment logged insolation and temperature data for a one (1) year period commencing shortly after completion of construction of the structure and its occupancy by the owners. The use of a recording micrologger reflects an effort to obtain unbiased, factual data on the performance of the house and to reduce the impact of subjective perceptions of the occupants' comfort on the report. Raw data was gathered continuously. A pyranometer measured the amount of whole sky solar radiation. Results were recorded as Btu's per square foot. Thermistors measured temperatures of: (a) outdoor ambient air, (b) indoor living room ambient air, (c) indoor greenhouse ambient air, (d) dining room mass wall, (e) greenhouse mass wall, (f) perimeter earth-sheltered wall, and (g) solar heated DHW storage tank. An event counter recorded user operated insulating adjustments (raising and lowering of insulating of curtains) and auxiliary heating (building or stoking a fire in the wood burning stove).

• Research Organization: Yarnell (Richard C.), Carson City, NV (USA); Yarnell (Barbara K.), Carson City, NV (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-80R950014
• OSTI ID: 5627806
• Report Number(s): DOE/R9/50014-T1; ON: DE85012215
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
EARTH BERMS
FEDERAL REGION IX
GREENHOUSES
HOUSES
INSOLATION
MONITORING
NEVADA
NORTH AMERICA
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SITE SELECTION
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
USA