No description available.

This research investigated homeowner rationale for, and feelings about, living in passive solar homes. Satisfaction, use, and extent of involvement with the home and solar features were determined. Twenty-eight owners of passive solar homes from the state of Virginia participated in this study. Data were collected by a hand-delivered questionnaire which was self-administered. Frequency and percentage distributions were calculated to describe the sample and characterize the findings from the study. Findings that were of a significant nature indicated that a vast majority of respondents felt that saving money on fuel bills was a major factor in their decision to live in passive solar homes. Over three-fourths of the homeowners sought information about solar energy utilization in order to make an educated choice. Over half were responsible for the building or modification of the homes and were directly involved with the functioning of their solar systems. All of these solar features were rated OK-to-high as functional units. Slightly more than half of the homeowners described unanticipated benefits as well as complaints related to their homes. Savings on fuel bills resulted in feelings of independence from utility companies for many of the respondents. Several were also pleased with their new awareness of nature and the weather. Areas of dissatisfaction were most often related to construction techniques. Others noted that cooling in the summer and heating in the winter posed problems. Almost half of the respondents reported changes in room use in their current residence as compared to previous non-solar homes. There appears to be a trend toward a more functional design, and multipurpose use of rooms incorporated into passive solar homes. Over half had a thermal mass in the floor and were satisfied with the hard floor surface. A majority had not purchased specific furnishings that they felt would perform well in their solar home and have had no problem with fading. Overall, homeowners were satisfied with the general interior, exterior, and overall features of their passive solar homes. / Master of Science

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1982. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis seeks to put forth an alternative to conventional housing by taking advantage of the low construction costs attributable to prefabrication and the reduced cost of energy required by integrating passive solar devices in the unit. It is the assumption here that the already inflated cost of conventional construction and fuel can only increase, thus pushing the possibility of owning a home, out of reach of the average earner. The proposed guidelines and subsequent solutions stated are expected to prove themselves as an attractive and economical alternative to customers. Prefabrication methods and the use of passive solar devices are studied in depth to ascertain the optimum methods of use. The relevance of daylighting and natural ventilation are also evaluated. The selection of the final plan is achieved by analyzing predicted costs of heating each unit, taking into account building enclosure data. Guidelines for manufacture, transportation and erection of each unit are also proposed. / M. Arch.

This thesis explores energy efficiency in space heating for new single-family detached mass-market houses in two locations— Regina, Saskatchewan and Vancouver, British Columbia. The study is based on the premise that the energy efficiency of new housing is insufficient given its long life-span and the uncertainty of future energy supplies. The study investigates the process by which housing consumers, builders, government housing programs and regulations interact, in order to understand the obstacles to achieving greater energy efficiency. Seventeen builders were interviewed in Regina and Vancouver together with architects, building inspectors and other individuals closely related to the housing industry. The thesis begins by outlining the problem and justifying the method of investigation. Chapter Two briefly describes Canada's energy context, establishes a need for greater energy conservation, and examines government energy efficiency regulations and other initiatives to encourage greater energy efficiency in new housing. Chapter Three describes the techniques available to the mass-market builder for improving the energy efficiency, of the building envelope and briefly explains some passive solar design options. Chapter Four reviews the economics of residential energy conservation from the perspective of the consumer. Cost-effectiveness analysis and its limitations are described and costs and payback periods are approximated for the techniques detailed in Chapter Three. The chapter concludes with an account of the economic constraints to increasing energy efficiency in new housing. Chapter Five briefly explains the important attitudinal and regulatory barriers to energy efficient housing. Chapter Six examines the energy efficiency standards of the builders interviewed, their responses to key questions, and discusses the major issues that arose from the interviews. The final chapter outlines the major findings of the thesis, and on this basis attempts to justify government intervention to overcome the market inadequacies uncovered in the investigation. The study found that in the absence of strict government regulation of energy efficiency standards in the housing industry, builders have built to standards reflecting consumer preferences and awareness of energy efficiency which have been influenced by energy prices, government information programs and climate. Regional variation were encountered in that consumer demand was a weaker factor in Vancouver while a more severe climate and more active government participation in Regina has created a greater energy consciousness among consumers and builders. Certain builders in each location were responding to an increased energy awareness by building to higher standards than those prevalent in the market, thus acting to direct future consumer demand. The study uncovered several market inadequacies, economic constraints, social and attitudinal resistances, and government policy shortcomings currently inhibiting greater energy efficiency; among them: 1. The value of energy conserving features does not appear to be recognized in the resale housing market. 2. Projected periods of ownership for new home purchasers are less than five years and in the absence of proven resale value these purchasers are dependent on recovery of energy conserving investment through energy savings within this short period. 3. Strict government regulation of energy efficiency has been absent or so lax as to be an insignificant factor in raising energy efficiency standards. 4. The two determinants of housing energy efficiency, builders and consumers, are lacking information on energy conserving techniques and investment required to make informed choices. These problems, the special nature and long life-span of residential buildings, the consequent broader social welfare goals to be achieved by conserving an essential resource, and the need to protect the economic interests of future homeowners, make the energy efficiency of new housing a special case. As a result, the study argues that there is justification for a comprehensive program of government intervention. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 1980. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH / Bibliography: leaves 216-220. / by Barbara S. Parker. / M.C.P.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1982. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-98). / Out of the inescapables of building come inspiration for architectural design. Decisions which respond to climate make their mark in design, just as structural requirements, lighting provisions, and the limitations of a site do. Presented here are "patterns" which have been developed to illustrate ways in which the design of dwellings can respond to climate. Rules of thumb for passive solar design and natural ventilation are included, as well as suggestions for providing a choice of differently tempered spaces. New patterns of use are also presented for responding to seasonal and diurnal changes. Several example designs are included. These designs all begin with the assumption of a shared-wall form and a Boston climate, but are meant for sites of different sizes, proportions, and orientations. / by Susan Kaufmann Paulos. / M.Arch.

Thesis. 1978. M.Arch.A.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Architecture. / MICROFICHE COPY AVAILABLE IN ARCHIVES AND ROTCH. / Bibliography: leaves 155-156. / M.Arch.A.S.