BIO-CLIMATIC SOLAR HOUSES

Objectif

The purpose of the project is to demonstrate the practical feasibility and performance of a single family housing concept, based upon application of:
- greenhouses (second skin principle) and large south windows
- passive solar air collectors
- natural ventilation, limited air-tighness
- radiative wall-heating
- selection of "biological" building materials.
The reason for this approach is to investigate whether or not it is possible to reach an attractive housing design, indoor climate, low energy use and low building cost, based upon a concept quite opposite to the present main trend in low energy housing designs in The Netherlands. This trend focusses on very air tight building methods, all-year round balanced mechanical ventilation and rather small windows.
For each of the energy saving systems applied, following experience is gained :
- GREENHOUSE : the greenhouse, which is applied as a second skin on the south side of the house is very attractive in terms of energy saving, quality of indoor climate and pay back period.
The energy savings obtained through this measure and through extra insulation amount to 1700 kWh per house in comparison to a house insulated to the existing dutch norms (now 720 kWh required for 100 m2 or 310 m3 volume, degree days : 3150).
- PASSIVE AIR COLLECTORS for ventilation air preheating : this option is not attractive in terms of energy savings and payback period. It turned out difficult to operate the system (60 % lost through bad operation).
- LOCAL HEATING is comparable to central heating in terms of energy consumption. However, attention should be paid to the 'draught' problem if local heating is applied.
- RADIATIVE WALL HEATING is attractive from a technical point of view (obtaining a high quality indoor climate), but needs adjustments with respect to price level. Further developments are necessary.
Nine single-family houses were built during 1986 and have been inhabited from 15th July 1986 and 15th December 1986 onwards.
The general design of the houses is as follows.
The main features of the design are:
- main structure: wood construction (floors, roofs, facades),
- walls between houses: double bricks with insulation in the cavity, providing stability and a limited thermal mass,
- a separate kitchen, large enough to eat in,
- ground floor construction: airspace below the floor ventilated from inside (warm), insulation at the bottom (30 cm expanded clay),
- ventilation by natural ventilation ducts in the kitchen, toilet and bathroom, airinlet from passive collector c.q. greenhouse and windows,
- 14 cm mineral wool insulation in all closed surface elements,
- large south windows (22 m2 gross) and smaller north windows (6 m2 gross).
A number of energy systems has been used in different combinations: greenhouses or passive collectors and a central radiative heating system or local gasheaters. Dealing with the case with a greenhouse and radiative heating.
- GREENHOUSE, constructed as a second skin with the largest possible percentage of vertical glazing (90%, single glass). The roof is 1/3 insulated and 2/3 double glazed,.
- THE HEATING SYSTEM uses a central water-heater (Intergas TW 14). The heat transfer to the rooms is performed in two ways:
a. for the southfacing rooms a closed circuit warm air wall heating (hypocaust); the air is forced through a heat exchanger and the closed aircircuit in the wall (estimated annual electrical energy consumption 150 kWh). The heating wall has a light weight construction and is insulated at the back.
b. Rooms facing north have flat hot water panels, insulated at the back.
The total watercontent of the system is low, approx. 7.1 giving the system a short respons time. SELECTION OF BUILDING MATERIALS
Much attention has been paid to the selection of building materials. The word "baubiologisch" (bio-climatical) in thetitle of this paper refers to this. Without going into details, we summarize the main aims:
- Use mainly natural building materials, (wood, bricks and tiles).
- Minimize the use of toxic insulation materials, kits and paints.

Programme(s)

ENG-ENALT 2C - Programme (EEC) of demonstration projects relating to the exploitation of alternative energy sources and to energy saving and the substitution of hydrocarbons, 1983-1985

Thème(s)

6.2 - THERMAL

Appel à propositions

Data not available

Régime de financement

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Coordinateur

STICHTING WOON/ENERGIE

Contribution de l’UE

Aucune donnée

Adresse

CRABETHSTRAAT 38 J
2801 Gouda
Pays-Bas

Coût total