The Energy Efficient Home

A WebQuest for Mr. Kinch's Medfield High School Architecture Class


Introduction	Task	Process	Evaluation	Conclusion	Credits

Introduction

One way or another the energy costs for heating and cooling our homes are affected by factors beyond our control. Imagine that it is the year 2025 A.D. and the war in the Middle East has been going on for 10 years. The output from these oil producing countries in the area has come to a standstill. Europe's and Japan's energy needs have driven up the price of oil to $210 per barrel.

The United Satates is in fierce competition with them for the world's remaining supplies of fossil fuels to run our respective economies. We have been caught up in a global recession for the past 3 years. Because of this, the average American homeowner cannot afford to heat his or her house any higher than 55 degrees in the winter. And the family car has become a permanent fixture in the driveway.

Task

As part of the crash program to make America energy independent our President has called upon her citizens to come up with ways to make us energy self-sufficient. According to an energy report by the Energy Information Administration, residential and commercial structures consume 33.72% of the United State's annual energy demands*.

The Secretary of Education (George Bush III) told her of your expertise in residential architecture. She has asked you to come up with solutions to the heating and cooling needs of the American home, whether it is renewable energy orby means of energy efficiency. We have to come up with some answers in the next four weeks that will allow us to reduce our residential energy needs.

Process

Before starting the job we have to create groups of 3 or 4 students. Assign each member of the group to research the following general categories so that you can familiarize yourself with the problem. Do them in a rotational basis (i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4 then start over).

Now that you have the background information that you need, your group's task is to select from one of the following categories that will improve the energy efficiency of a house design. If you cannot reach consensus, pick one of the categories from a hat.
At the end of two days you will be able to begin your drawings of your design from your research of the following resources. Half the members will be working on the drawing design and the other half will be working on the model design.
The drawing should contain the necessary elevation, plan and/or section drawings that will convey the technological improvements.
The other half of the group will begin work on the model that will demonstrate the technology that improves the energy efficiency.
You have four weeks to finish your model and drawings.
Each member of the group will present a portion of your project solution at the end of four weeks. Each student should be prepared to spend 5 minutes discussing how your contribution will solve our national emergency.
On the day of your presentation you will also hand in a two page paper that will summarize your contribution.
You will be evaluated according to the categories that are outlined in the following rubric that is located in the evaluation section. You are expected to refer to it during the stages of development so that you are sure that you are meeting the requirements.


Site Orientation and Landscaping
The Building Envelope
Heating Systems
Passive Solar
Active Solar

Site Orientation and Landscaping
Landscaping For Energy Efficiency Fact sheet
Floor Plans
Energy Saving Landscaping
10 Energy Saving Tips
More Energy Saving Landscaping

The Building Envelope
Building Houses With The Skin On The Outside.
Wall R-Values That Tell It Like It Is.
Vapor Barrier Fact Sheet
Ceiling Insulation
Do It Yourself Weatherization
Windows & Wall Experiments
Owens Corning Insulation
Insulation Fact Sheet
How Insulation Works
Building Evelope Technologies
Consumer Info on Windows
Home Tightening
Weather Resistive Barriers
Window Experiment

Heating Systems
Introduction To Solar Hot Water.
How A Solar Water Heater Works
An Introduction To Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal Heat Pump Designs
How a Geothermal Heat Pump Works

Passive Solar
Passive Solar Design Introduction
Heating With The Sun
Solar Space Heating
Solar Home & Solar Collector Plans
Passive Solar Design Checklist
Passive Solar Fact Sheet
Window Orientation & Facts
Introduction to passive solar heating and daylighting.
Sunspace Orientation & Window Glazing Angles Solar Townhouse
Storing Solar Energy Experiment

Active Solar
Solar Considerations
Photovoltaic Fact Sheet
A Solar Lesson
Making A Solar Panel
Solar Water Heating
Learning About PV's
Introduction to photovoltaic (solar cell) systems.
How photovoltaic cells work .
Solar Panel Sales
See How a Solar Cell Works

Evaluation (Rubric)

Category 4 3 2 1 Total

Information Gathering Accurate information taken from various sources in a systematic manner. Accurate information taken from a couple of sources in a systematic manner. Accurate information taken from a couple of sources but not systematically. Information taken from only one source and/or information not accurate.

Drawing Plans Plans are neat with clear measurements and labeling for all components. Plans are neat with clear measurements and labeling for most components. Plan provides clear measurements and labeling for some components. Plan does not show measurements clearly or is otherwise inadequately labeled.

Model Construction Materials Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better. Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better. Appropriate materials were selected. Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.

Construction Care- Taken Great care taken in construction process so that the structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately. Construction was careful and accurate for the most part, but 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product. Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product. Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive product.

Scientific Knowledge Explanations by all group members indicate a clear and accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. Explanations by all group members indicate a relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. Explanations by most group members indicate relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications. Explanations by several members of the group do not illustrate much understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.

Presentation Presented very smoothly at an advanced level of understanding. Presented at the knowledge level. Presented a basic understanding of the concepts. Did not understand the material.

Teamwork The workload is divided and shared equally by all
team members. The workload is divided and shared fairly by all team members, though workloads may vary from person to person. The workload was divided, but one person in the group is viewed as not doing his/her fair share of the work. The workload was not divided OR several people in the group are viewed as not doing their fair share of the work.

Category	4	3	2	1
Information Gathering	Accurate information taken from various sources in a systematic manner.	Accurate information taken from a couple of sources in a systematic manner.	Accurate information taken from a couple of sources but not systematically.	Information taken from only one source and/or information not accurate.
Drawing Plans	Plans are neat with clear measurements and labeling for all components.	Plans are neat with clear measurements and labeling for most components.	Plan provides clear measurements and labeling for some components.	Plan does not show measurements clearly or is otherwise inadequately labeled.
Model Construction Materials	Appropriate materials were selected and creatively modified in ways that made them even better.	Appropriate materials were selected and there was an attempt at creative modification to make them even better.	Appropriate materials were selected.	Inappropriate materials were selected and contributed to a product that performed poorly.
Construction Care- Taken	Great care taken in construction process so that the structure is neat, attractive and follows plans accurately.	Construction was careful and accurate for the most part, but 1-2 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.	Construction accurately followed the plans, but 3-4 details could have been refined for a more attractive product.	Construction appears careless or haphazard. Many details need refinement for a strong or attractive product.
Scientific Knowledge	Explanations by all group members indicate a clear and accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.	Explanations by all group members indicate a relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.	Explanations by most group members indicate relatively accurate understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.	Explanations by several members of the group do not illustrate much understanding of scientific principles underlying the construction and modifications.
Presentation	Presented very smoothly at an advanced level of understanding.	Presented at the knowledge level.	Presented a basic understanding of the concepts.	Did not understand the material.
Teamwork	The workload is divided and shared equally by all team members.	The workload is divided and shared fairly by all team members, though workloads may vary from person to person.	The workload was divided, but one person in the group is viewed as not doing his/her fair share of the work.	The workload was not divided OR several people in the group are viewed as not doing their fair share of the work.

Conclusion

By the time you have completed this project you should be aware of all the different ways that we can help to make our country more energy independent. Global warming and fossil fuel pollution are caused by every person on this planet. The less energy resources that we waste in heating and cooling our homes, the better our lifestyle will be in terms of our comfort and our health. I think that our contributions that we have come up with will help us to better our lives.

Credits& Bibliographies

All Photos by T. Kinch.
Rubric by Rubistar .
* EIA Report in 1998.
Consumer Energy Information: EREC Reference Briefs