Transcript House Materials And Technology

House Materials And Technology
By Kate Kodagoda
Glass and windows
• Triple glaze windows
Triple glazed windows consist of three sheets of glass, each separated by an air gap. The air gaps provides
insulating layers between the glass, which slow down heat loss, keep in cool air in summer and keep hot
air out, they also reduce the opportunity for condensation to form.
Using the right type of window frame is also important as heat and cool can escape through frames as well
as windows. Normal window frames are generally manufactured from low conductivity materials, like from
softwood, hardwood, glass fibre and composites. Insulated hollow frames can further reduce heat loss and
improve comfort.
Low Emissivity Glass (Low-E Glass)
The windows are coated with a very thin layer of metallic coating on one surface. To protect it from wear,
the coated surface is placed on the outer face of the inner pane in a triple glazing layer. The coating allows
heat from the sun to enter the house but significantly reduces heat loss by reflecting radiant heat back
into the house.
Air gaps between glass
Insulated hollow frames
Triple panes of glass
Low E glass surface
blinds and shades
• Honeycomb cell shades
Cellular Shades, also known as Honeycomb Shades are made of a solid fabric that stacks like an accordion.
If you turn the shades sideways, they look like a honeycomb. The air pockets make cellular blinds very
energy efficient.
Honeycomb air pocket
Bricks
I have chosen a new form of brick which is made by pressurizing by-products of coal-power plants. While
making cement for concrete bricks spew's thousands of pounds of poisonous mercury into the air each
year, this eco-friendly brick, uses a coal-power plants’ waste product - fly ash - which otherwise would
fester in a landfill. The brick solidifies under pressure and not extreme heat, so manufacturing them saves
energy and reduces costs by at least 20 percent, and with the bricks being moulded, they’re smoother and
more uniform, this also reduces bricklaying time as well as labour.
Solar panels
The roof of the house is lined with Solar photovoltaic panels, or solar pv for short, this is a technology
which converts daylight into electrical power. It uses energy from the sun to create electricity which
transfers into the house’s electrical grid, this solar electricity will then operate electrical appliances and
lighting.
These solar panels do not rely on sunlight but daylight, which means they are capable of generating
electricity on a cloudy day. Using solar panels saves money and energy because you are not paying for all
your electricity and it means less coal is burned.
Solar roof tiles
Solar tiles operate on the same principle as solar pv panels.
Water
• Harvesting rainwater for drinking and household usage
The house has a pitched roof which provides a suitable rainwater catchment area and the existing
rainwater pipes and gutters will act as the harvesting system. It is preferable to collect the rainwater that
falls onto a house roof.
From the roof the water runs through the gutters and underground into an underground water storage
tank, the water tank is stored underground because lower light and temperature levels will reduce
bacteria growth. Simple filtration without using chemicals or disinfectants is sufficient to allow rainwater
to be used for flushing toilets and filling up washing machines.
Collected rainwater can be used for drinking as there is a UV sterilisation unit; the unit is switched on
permanently and uses c. 40 watts. This unit will need two filters such as a sand filter, before the water
reaches it.
There is a back-up mains supply that will operate automatically when the underground storage tank runs
low.
Water tank
Grey water
The grey water collected from the washbasin, showers, bath and dishwasher is pumped
into a tank by an internal waste water drainage system. The water is then treated with a
mixture of physical treatment( removing solid debris) and biological treatment( using
chemicals) known as bio-mechanical treatment. Bio-mechanical treatment works by
filtering solid debris from the tank and then using bacteria to remove organic material
(contamination) from wastewater. Once this process is complete the water is fine to use
on the garden. Although the bio-mechanical method is expensive, it uses less chemicals,
which is better for the environment and the water can be kept in the tank for a longer
amount of time.
Grey water tank
sewage
• A Bio-Septic tank
The Bio-Septic process begins when all wastewater from the toilets and bathroom drains into the septic
tank.
The solid waste settles in the septic tank and naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria slowly break it down.
The wastewater overflows into the aeration tank where air is diffused into two separate aeration chambers
to create aerobic bacteria. These quick acting bacteria reduce the sewage to carbon dioxide and water.
Because aerobic bacteria breathe oxygen there is no odour. Last, a small amount of chlorine is added to kill
any pathogens that have survived the aeration process. The treated water is then suitable to irrigate the
garden and any leftover sludge or grime is slowly eaten away by bacteria. Using a bio-septic tank prevents
waste from contaminating rivers and oceans, which is good for the marine life and for us.
Garden
plants: The Garden consists of plants and trees which need very little water to grow. I have also used artificial
grass made from recycled products and plastics, so there is no need for watering. All the trees and plants that
have been chosen are found in Australia and are attractive as well as fairly self-sufficient.
Insulation
The walls floors and ceiling are insulated with a product called Cellulose Fibre, Cellulose is made from old
newspapers and other waste paper.
How is it made?
Cellulose Fibre is made using recycled shredded paper, treated with borax for flammability and smoulder
resistance. The borax also makes the insulation unattractive to vermin and resistant to insects, fungus and
dry rot.
Recycled cellulose insulation has a low embodied energy compared to rock wool and glass wool insulation
and, when removed from a building, it may be used again or disposed of safely without creating toxic
waste.
Cellulose does not cause skin irritations and the thermal performance of cellulose insulation compares
favourably to other types of insulation. These results are similar to those for glass wool or rock wool.
Water and energy saving appliances
•
Water saving shower heads: Satin jet Genesis Wall Shower on Upswept Arm
Satin jet uses Twin- jet technology and has been internationally awarded for its unique advancement in
the delivery of less water while still feeling generous in its water pressure and spray. This shower head
only uses between 7.5 and 9 L of water per minute. Ordinary full-flow showers use 22L per minute.
•
Dual flush toilet: 4 star rating, can save up to 25,000ltrs of water a year
•
Water saving dishwasher: the house is installed with a 5 star
energy and water saving dishwasher.
•
Water saving taps: water conserving taps that use ceramic disc (CD) cartridge technology that are resistant
to scratches and do not leak like ordinary washered taps.
Lighting
The house is installed with Energy efficient light bulbs( Compact Fluorescent lamps) or CFL for short. CFLs use
less power to provide the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp, reducing energy consumption and the
environmental effects from power generation. CFLs last up to 6-15 times longer than incandescent light bulbs
and 75% less energy in their lifespan.
Heating and Cooling
The heating and cooling is controlled by a heat pump system. Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient
alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Like a refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat
from a cool space into a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During
the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the
cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move
heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they
consume.
The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your
house and the outside air. A heat pump can trim the amount of electricity you use for heating by as much
as 30%–40%. High-efficiency heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners,
resulting in less energy usage and more cooling comfort in summer months.
Heat pump system