Analysis of the New Mexico State University Passive Solar House
The performance of the NMSU Passive Solar House is presented and analyzed in this thesis. In addition to such passive techniques as massive walls and strategically placed windows, the house utilizes a modified SKYTHERM system to achieve temperature control. SKYTHERM includes roof-mounted water ponds and movable insulation. Interior house temperatures are controlled by exposing the water bags to the winter sun or the cool summer night sky, as necessary. The water bags are covered by the insulating panels at all other times. Temperatures of the floor, walls, air and water ponds were continuously monitored for eight months, spanning the winter, spring and summer seasons of 1979. Heat flow through the roof, slar radiation incident on the roof and relative humidity at the site were also periodically monitored. Construction problems were documented, and possible solutions are proposed. the costs of construction were also monitored, enabling an economic analysis to be made. From the temperature data, graphs are presented illustrating the performance of the house in the heating, interim and cooling modes of operation. A comparison of data from typical days in the heating and cooling modes has been made with predictions from W.C. Miller's mathematical model of the house. Data show that the house will maintain average daily air temperatures of between 18.3C (65/sup 0/F) to 21.1C (70/sup 0/F) in the winter and 22.2C (72/sup 0/F) to 26.7C (80/sup 0/F) in the summer. Inside air temperatures measured at any station deviate throughout a day a maximum of 1.1C (2/sup 0/F) from the average daily inside air temperature of that station.
- Research Organization:
- New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AS03-78CS31606
- OSTI ID:
- 5961757
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/CS/31606-T1; ON: DE82001581
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PASSIVE SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
COST
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
HEAT TRANSFER
HOUSES
HUMIDITY
INSOLATION
NEW MEXICO
ROOF PONDS
TEMPERATURE MONITORING
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMAL MASS
WINDOWS
BUILDINGS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUIPMENT
HEATING SYSTEMS
MASS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
OPENINGS
PONDS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR PONDS
SOUTHWEST REGION
SURFACE WATERS
USA
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling