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Building Science for Dry Climates 6 - Mechanical Ventilation

Presentation

Presentation by Home Performance Contractor Academy giving building science advice for for homes in dry climate zones, specifically mechanical ventilation for air flow. Part 6 of 7.

Building Science for Dry Climates 7 - Duct Testing and Leakage

Presentation

Presentation by Home Performance Contractor Academy giving building science advice for for homes in dry climate zones, specifically duct testing and leakage calculations. Part 7 of 7.

Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.

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In hot, dry climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, night flush through cross ventilation and whole-house fans, potentially using high-mass construction

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Louvers and jump ducts allow cross ventilation through rooms with closed doors

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A shallow, open floor plan allows free flow of cross ventilation through the house

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Inducing airflow through the stack effect requires low inlets and high outlets such as a ridge hood or crown monitor

Inducing airflow through the stack effect requires low inlets and high outlets such as a ridge hood or crown monitor

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Locating windows on adjacent and opposite sides of the house will allow cross ventilation regardless of wind direction

Locating windows on adjacent and opposite sides of the house will allow cross ventilation regardless of wind direction

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Whole-house fans or wind-driven cross ventilation can be used to draw air across thermal mass for a night flush strategy

Whole-house fans or wind-driven cross ventilation can be used to draw air across thermal mass for a night flush strategy

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Comfort ventilation focuses on airflow over occupants; in this example of wind-driven cross ventilation, the air is directed through the main occupied areas of the bedroom

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Airflow can be directed across thermal mass in the ceiling, floor, or elsewhere inside the home through various window and louver configurations

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Even when wind is blowing parallel to a wall, an open casement window can create a zone of higher pressure near the window opening, driving airflow into the house

Even when wind is blowing parallel to a wall, an open casement window can create a zone of higher pressure near the window opening, driving airflow into the house

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Home Cooling Systems

Reference

Website providing information on low-energy and standard cooling systems, with a focus on saving energy.

Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams

Reference

Article by the Canadian Government on attic ventilation and considerations for moisture and ice dams.

Natural Ventilation

Reference

DOE Energy Saver webpage providing a brief summary of natural ventilation for houses.

Earthship Huts – Low Hanging Fruit in the Fight Against Poverty

Reference

Article describing earthship homes.

Passive Solar Design

Reference

Article from Williams College on the key elements of passive solar design for homes.

Passive Cooling

Reference

Article from Smarter Homes NZ on home building techniques that incorporate passive cooling.

Passive Design

Reference

Website providing guidance on passive heating, cooling, and lighting methods.

Plant for the Sun!

Reference

Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.

Sustainable Development Guidelines

Reference

Presentation on sustainable development including water conservation, passive solar, daylighting, natural ventilation, and land use.

The Corsi-Rosenthal Box

Reference

Presentation describing how to make a Corsi-Rosenthal Box for air cleaning.

Sustainable Living Series

Reference

Presentation by the Washington University in St. Louis Office of Sustainability on saving energy.

Indirect/Passive Air-Flow Systems

Reference

Report detailing natural ventilation and passive airflow systems.

Cool Solutions: The Whole House Fan

Reference

Article describing the use of whole-house fans to provide cooling in the region surrounding Sacramento, CA.

Team Negawatt

Reference

Presentation on urban land use and sustainable building design.

NJARNG Sustainability Newsletter June 2016 Volume 2 – Issue 2

Reference

Newsletter providing news and information to members of the New Jersey National Guard.

Performance and Applicability of Passive and Low-Energy Cooling Systems

Reference

Paper summarizing passive and low-energy cooling systems for buildings.

2020 Minnesota State Mechanical Code MN rule chapter 1346

Reference

A presentation on the 2020 State Mechanical Code for easier understanding.

Passive Cooling

Reference

Book describing passive cooling techniques from a technical and academic perspective.