MIT solar building No. 5: the third year performance
MIT Solar Building No. 5 has shown that the overheating and glare problems associated with many direct-gain residences can be overcome using three new architectural finish materials: (1) a superinsulating window, (2) a glare-modulating and light-directing louver, and (3) a ceiling tile that stores heat latently. The latest 1979-80 thermal measurements indicated that the sun supplied 67% of the building's seasonal heating requirement while an addional 12% of the load was met by the lights. This was done by glazing only 45% of the south wall (or 22% of the heated floor area) and not using movable window insulation. The indoor air temperature never exceeded 76/sup 0/F (24.5/sup 0/C) during the heating season. Even with Solar 5's large window area, auxiliary energy use was as low as that of many superinsulated homes with double-thick walls and small windows.
- Research Organization:
- Massachusetts Inst. of Technology, Cambridge
- OSTI ID:
- 6560657
- Journal Information:
- Passive Sol. J.; (United States), Vol. 1:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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