by Charles Hendricks | Nov 16, 2015 | architecture, green term defined
Green Term Defined: Insulating Curtains
Insulating curtains have a lining that resists temperature change and are heavy enough to stop air flow. These curtains will help reduce the amount of energy needed to keep a space comfortable. They come in many styles, colors, and textures and can be used in almost any application.
Windows, even the best on the market, are the weak link in most wall systems. Radiation and air movement can allow heat to escape in the winter or to get in during the summer. Insulating curtains can help stabilize the interior air between the curtain and the window making the remainder of the room more comfortable. These curtains are usually very heavy which further helps stop air movement. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, insulating curtains can cut heat loss in a room as much as 10%. The perform best if they run from the floor to the ceiling.
Read more from our Green Term Defined series here:
Green Term Defined: HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning System)
Green Term Defined: Energy Audit
Green Term Defined: Natural Ventilation
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 9, 2015 | green term defined
A Solatube is a tubular daylighting system. The solatube was created in Australia that captures daylight using a dome installed at the roof deck level and reflects it through a cylindrical tube into interior spaces.
by Charles Hendricks | Nov 2, 2015 | green term defined
Green Term Defined: Heat Flow
When two objects with different temperatures come together, energy will be transferred from the object with a higher temperature to that with the lower temperature. The objects exchange thermal energy until each have reached the same temperature or equilibrium. The basic means to transfer heat include Conduction, Convection, and Radiation.
Conduction – the flow of heat through an object by transferring heat from one molecule to another. Think frying pan on a stove or wood stud that touches the inside drywall and the outside wall sheathing.
Convection – refers to the transfer of heat by a moving fluid. Thing warm air rising and cool air sinking in a room. Convection loops circulate near walls. During the heating season, warm air is cooled by exterior walls and falls towards the floor, creating a convection loop. Convective loops can also happen within framing cavities if the insulation doesn’t completely fill the space.
Radiation – flow of heat from a warm source through space in waves of infrared or visible light energy. Think sunlight through a window.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 26, 2015 | green term defined
A casement is a window that is attached to the frame on the side with one or more hinges. They are more air tight than double hung windows due to the door like construction. The windows are often operated with a crank or lever.
A double-hung window is one that has two sashes that are able to move up and down. These windows are harder to make air tight due to the connection when closed between the top and bottom sash.
Windows can be made of vinyl, fiberglass, or wood. There can also be combination materials such as a fiberglass clad wood window. These are wood on the inside and fiberglass on the exterior.
Some of the qualities that should be looked at when selecting a window is the Design Pressure, U-Factor, and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient.
Design pressure rating measures the amount of pressure a door or window will withstand when closed and locked. The higher the DP numbers the better the performance.
U-factor correlates to the rate of heat transfer. The lower the number the better a window is at keeping heat inside the structure.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun. In warm climates, the lower the number the better. In cold climates you want a higher number to allow the heat into your structure.
by Charles Hendricks | Oct 14, 2015 | architecture, green term defined
Green Term Defined: Karst Topography
Karst Topography is an area of irregular limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns. Overtime these underground streams and fissures can change and widen. The major issue is that these underground structural systems cannot be seen until it reaches the surface.
by Charles Hendricks | Sep 28, 2015 | Building Science, green term defined
HVAC stands for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system in your home or business. The system should be able to heat and cool your home to create a comfortable living environment. It should also have a source for bringing in fresh air and to control humidity. An HVAC system is designed by a mechanical engineer based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
An effective HVAC system will keep the fresh air in your home comfortable and healthy. A proper ventilation system has air filtration that removes toxins from the indoor environment. A properly designed system should include a ventilation strategy as well as heating and cooling capacity. Ventilation includes both the exchange of air to the outside and the circulation of air inside the thermal envelope. Keeping your home green and your energy bills low starts with clean air.
HVAC stands for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system in your home or business. The system should be able to heat and cool your home to create a comfortable living environment. It should also have a source for bringing in fresh air and to control humidity. An HVAC system is designed by a mechanical engineer based on the principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.