Minimum Energy Dwelling (MED) workbook: an investigation of techniques and materials for energy conscious design

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6869018· OSTI ID:6869018

This workbook is based upon information gathered during the design phase of the Minimum Energy Dwelling. The objective of the project, sponsored by the Southern California Gas Co., Department of Energy, and Mission Viejo is to substantially reduce energy use by the incorporation of energy conservation and solar techniques in a single-family detached dwelling. The Project will demonstrate to builders, as well as to the general public, a number of technological innovations that can, at reasonable cost, be included in a dwelling design. The problem facing Southern California Gas Co., along with most other gas utilities, is ever-decreasing amounts of gas at increasing prices. The dwelling designed has approximately 1,150 ft/sup 2/, consistent with current home-building trends. Through the optimum use of energy-conserving appliances, insulation, window and wall shading, exterior coloring, and thermal mass, the yearly energy usage has been reduced by over 50%. Of the remaining 50% of the energy required for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water, the majority is supplied by the solar-energy system. Three hundred twenty square feet (270 effective) of evacuated tube collector are incorporated into the building structure. The hot water provided by the collectors is used to run an absorption chiller for cooling, the domestic hot water, and the heating system. The remaining energy requirements are met by an auxiliary natural gas energy system and a cool-air-economizer cycle.

• Research Organization: Burt, Hill, Kosar, Rittleman, and Associates, Butler, Pa. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6869018
• Report Number(s): SAN-1198-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
140907 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
AIR CONDITIONERS
APPLIANCES
BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION
COST
DESIGN
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC APPLIANCES
ENERGY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS APPLIANCES
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEATING
HOUSES
LAND USE
MATERIALS
NATURAL GAS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RESIDENTIAL SECTOR
RETROFITTING
SHADING
SOLAR AIR CONDITIONERS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR HEATING
SOLAR SPACE HEATING
SOLAR WATER HEATING
SPACE HEATING
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMAL INSULATION