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© Buildwise, LLC
Publication Review
Title: Sustainable Home Technical Manual
- 1: Passive Design
Author: (Third Addition) Commonwealth of Australia, 2005
File: Free Technical Manual, PDF
1.0:
Introduction: 84 KB, 2 pages
1.1:
Design for Climate: 287 KB, 4 pages
1.2:
Choosing a Site: 550 KB, 5 pages
1.3:
Orientation: 673 KB, 5 pages
1.4:
Passive Solar Heating: 861 KB, 8 pages
1.5:
Passive Cooling: 1.4 MB, 8 pages
1.6a:
Insulation Overview: 353 KB, 7 pages
1.6b:
Insulation Installation: 607 KB, 6 pages
1.6c:
Insulation Case Studies: 140 KB, 3 pages
1.7:
Thermal Mass: 1.03 KB, 5 pages
1.8a:
Glazing Overview: 565 KB, 5 pages
1.8b:
Glazing Hot Humid: 204 KB, 2 pages
1.8c:
Glazing Temperate: 252 KB, 4 pages
1.8d:
Gazing Cold Temperate: 360 KB, 4 pages
1.8e:
Window Energy Rating Scheme: 180 KB, 3 pages
1.9:
Shading: 697 KB, 5 pages
1.10:
Rating Tools: 207 KB, 5 pages
1.11:
Skylights: 146 KB, 3 pages
Audience: Written for architects, builders and homeowners interested
in sustainable home design and construction.
Review
A technical guide developed by the Government of Australia "developed
to show you how to design and build a more comfortable home that has less
impact on the environment. The home will also be more economical to run
and healthier to live in." Covers a wide variety of sustainable issues.
Remember some Australian specific information may be backwards regarding
North & South. Some climate information may also be specific to Australia.
But much information is relevant to building anywhere.
Issues covered in Introduction include:
- 1.0: Introduction
- Overview of categories covered in following sections
- 1.1: Design for Climate
- main characteristics of each climate zone and key design responses
- hot humid
- warm humid
- hot dry, warm winter
- hot dry, cold winter
- warm temperate
- cool temperate (includes cold alpine)
- 1.2: Choosing a Site
- choosing a locality and housing type
- site choice checklist
- choosing a site
- efficient land use
- remote and rural sites
- services
- access
- transportation
- plan and site
- size of house
- external impacts
- sensitivity to neighboring developments
- social impact
- topography
- specific consideration - buying new or existing
- protecting, enhancing, and repairing the natural and built environment
- design for climate change (global warming)
- 1.3: Orientation
- principals of good orientation
- deciding the best orientation
- orientation for passive heating
- orientation for passive cooling
- 1.4: Passive Solar Heating
- what is passive solar heating?
- how passive solar heating works
- passive solar design principles
- orientation for passive solar heating
- passive solar shading
- planning and design - floor planning
- locating heaters
- locating thermal mass
- air movement and comfort
- design for convective air movement
- single story and multi story considerations
- preventing heat loss
- thermal mass and thermal lag
- glass to mass and floor ratios
- passive heating in renovation strategies
- 1.5: Passive Cooling
- what is passive cooling?
- envelope design
- climate specific design principles
- natural cooling sources
- evaporative cooling
- earth coupling
- hybrid cooling systems
- design of conditioned spaces
- other considerations like dew point
- adapting lifestyle
- passive cooling in renovations
- active ventilation
- insulation and reflectivity
- thermal mass
- 1.6a: Insulation Overview
- choosing insulation
- insulation types and their applications
- insulation levels for your climate
- adding insulation to existing buildings
- properties and uses of common insulation types
- 1.6b: Insulation installation
- installation tips
- thermal bridging
- vapor barriers
- roof ventilation
- gaps
- bulk insulation
- reflective insulation
- heath and safety tips
- insulation details, ceilings, walls, floors
- 1.6c: Insulation Case Studies
- various case studies by location and climate
- 1.7: Thermal Mass
- how thermal mass works
- using thermal mass
- thermal mass properties
- typical applications
- where to locate thermal mass
- where not to locate thermal mass
- specific climate responses
- renovations and additions
- 1.8a: Glazing Overview
- overview of window issues
- climate considerations
- passive design considerations
- heat gain
- thermal mass
- air tightness
- light transmittance
- noise control
- ventilation
- fading
- condensation
- lifecylce costs
- real costs
- property values
- 1.8b: Glazing Hot Humid
- design guidelines
- energy savings
- case study
- 1.8c: Glazing Temperate
- design guidelines
- energy savings
- case studies
- 1.8d: Glazing Cold Temperate
- design guidelines
- energy savings
- case studies
- 1.8e: Window Energy Rating Scheme
- window energy rating system and how it works
- 1.9: Shading
- general guidelines for all climates
- fixed shading for passive solar access
- adjustable shading
- climate specific responses
- using plants for shading
- shading for a healthier environment
- 1.10: Rating Tools
- why windows are rated
- various Australian rating tools and programs
- 1.11: Skylights
- design principles
- solar control
- skylight types
- effect of skylight shaft on light and heat gain
- make the most of local sky conditions
- maintenance and long term performance
Graphics typically include:
- general photos explaining concepts
- graphs and charts explaining concepts
- diagrams, sections and other drawings as needed to explain technical issues
Related Texts
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 0: Introduction
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 1: Passive Design
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 2: Water Use
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 3: Material Use
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 4: Energy Use
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 5: Site Impacts
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 6: Other Impacts
Sustainable
Home Technical Manual - 7: Case Studies
Related Links
www.Greenhouse.gov.au