Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
The E-house is a concept and demonstrative house in evolution.
Its conception contributes to
cientific-technologic,innovative and cultural advances related to renewable energy and resources.
The house is based on five principles , which are called five E's:
Envelopment
Renewable energy and resources
Ecologic
Experimental-demonstrative
In evolution
The E-house is a house that utilizes enviromental surroundings,
for example: the vegetation
In the south, the vegetation is a permanent wind barrier
In the west and east sides deciduous vegetation has been utilized.
Consequently,
there is insolation during winter (when trees lose their leaves)
and shading occurs in summer.
Another aspect: it's elongated from west to east so that maximum solar energy is absorved in the north façade.
The heated air is directed by double-wall passages,
this system is called an "envelope house". It's like a house inside another house.
So, this heated air circulates around the house during the winter, carrying heat to the South-facing area.
In summer, access to a clerestory is opened
(a device was specially created for this).
And through this clerestory the heated air leaves,
reducing the pressure at the top of the house.
Then, air from the South is sucked in and travels through a bed corridor of granitic rocks.
These rocks (besides their capacity of storing heat) exchange heat very well with air.
It works as a natural air conditioner inside the house.
In winter, there are three possibilities: heating water through solar collectors,
heating air through the North-facing façade (double glazing with spectral selectivity)
and a solarium (greenhouse) on its side.
But what can we do when sunlight is absent?
We can use fitomass (recyclable firewood, available locally)
in a wood stove or in a fireplace. This is an ecological fireplace because it has dual combustion,
resulting in low emission of pollutants.
The wood stove heats its surroundings and also heats water (through a coil linked to the solar energy reservoir).
So, we also have an alternative of water heating in winter during a long time without sunlight.
The E-house has been built as a search for solution to contemporary problems,
such as increasing energy consumption, air pollution, environment contamination and so on.
Some proposals, as from nuclear energy, have presented serious difficulties and accidents recently.
The main objective of the E-house is search for small scale solutions. These, if multiplied, could help solve
global problems in society.
E-house brings concepts of physics to people's daily lives. Guided tours are offered and pre-scheduled for
groups of students or from the general public.
I've found it nice because it brings concepts of auto sustainability
through technology and scientific knowledge.
This improves basic aspects of daily life. For example: heat management through the house ventilation system.
I've found the house very interesting because it is concerned with the heat management in winter and in summer.
It has been built to solve problems of thermal comfort.
It's also remarkable that the ecological caption and use of rain water is addressed.
As a project in evolution, the E-house intends to expand its solutions to the reality of many people.
It searches for cooperation with companies that share the same concern with the environment.
For further information, access the website : www.ufrgs.br/casae