Computer simulation of heat transfer from earth sheltered structures: A comparison of varying levels of earth sheltering in five different climates

Conference · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)

OSTI ID:7121539

Meixel, G D

Computer predictions of the HVAC energy consumption for single story office buildings with varying levels of earth-sheltering indicate that significant energy savings are possible with fully-bermed and bermed-and-covered configurations. As shown by the computer analysis, increased earth-sheltering reduced uncontrolled infiltration; improved the thermal performance of the walls, roof, and floor; and located the windows for more favorable passive solar gain. For example, 50% reductions in winter heating energy for Boston occurred with the fully-bermed and the bermed-and-covered configuration. Earth-sheltering also significantly reduced the predicted peak heating and cooling loads. The Boston heating season showed the most favorable response with the fully-covered office building having a peak heating load only 35% of that for the above-grade configuration. In Manila the predicted peak cooling load for the fully-covered building is 63% of that for the slab-on-grade configuration. Details of the impact of earth-sheltering on the single story office building model are presented for each of the five locations.

• Research Organization: Underground Space Center University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota
• OSTI ID: 7121539
• Report Number(s): CONF-801210-
• Journal Information: Alternative Energy Sources; (United States), Vol. 7; Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
BUILDINGS
HEAT TRANSFER
SPACE HVAC SYSTEMS
PHILIPPINES
CLIMATES
PEAK LOAD
USA
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY ACCOUNTING
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
HEAT GAIN
WINDOWS
ACCOUNTING
ASIA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY ANALYSIS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ISLANDS
NORTH AMERICA
OPENINGS
SIMULATION
320100* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings