Unit 1 Housing—Human Factors and Infl uences
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
to control the temperature in a house. Most cherish,
however, the power to set and reset the thermostat. As
the hardware and software to control home automation
systems become increasingly complex, designers must
make it easy for inhabitants to program the house and
to override preprogrammed settings.
Use Renewable Energy Sources
A principle of sustainable design is relying
more on renewable energy sources—those that
replenish themselves regularly—in providing energy
to operate a building. The housing and interior
design professional should have knowledge about the
energy sources. In particular, he or she should know
about renewable energy sources and how to promote
them in buildings.
Fuel provides heat, and people need heat to live.
Like all forms of energy, fuel begins as solar energy
derived from the sun. Nature converts solar energy to
raw materials such as oil and coal. The conversions
Evaluating Energy Efficiency of a House
Use the following questions to evaluate and note the features for home energy efficiency.
Orientation and Landscaping
• What is the orientation of the long side of the house (N, S, E, or W)?
• How many windows face east? (Note number and calculate the area in square feet.)
• How many windows face west? (Note number and calculate the area in square feet.)
• How much shade from landscape features is on east or west sides of the house?
• Is the southern exposure unobstructed or shaded by deciduous trees?
Thermal Resistance
• How much insulation is in the attic? (Note the type and thickness.)
• Are the walls insulated? If so, how thick is the insulation?
• Is there under-floor insulation, especially in homes with crawl spaces, cold basements, and garages under
living areas?
• Are the heating and cooling ducts, hot water pipes, and hot water heater insulated?
• Are the windows double- or triple-glazed (paned) with low-E glass?
• Are the doors solid-core wood or insulated metal?
• Are there storm doors?
Lighting and Windows
• Is energy-efficient lighting used in work areas (for example, fluorescent or LED)?
• Are windows or skylights located in work areas?
• Do windows occupy less than 10 percent of the total wall area? (Measure the window area and calculate
its percentage of total wall area.)
Appliances
• Are ENERGY STAR appliances used?
• Is the refrigerator located away from range, dishwasher, and direct sunlight?
Ventilation
• Are ceiling fans or a whole-house fan used in the house?
• Are window and door placements appropriate for cross-ventilation?
• Is the attic properly vented with vents near the roof ridge and beneath the eaves?
• Is there adequate air infiltration?
• Are the windows properly fitted?
• Is weather-stripping located around doors, windows, and the attic entry?
• Is there adequate caulking around door frames, window frames, and penetrations for pipes and wiring?
Figure 4.1 Use this question list to compare houses for energy efficiency.