Introduction
Due to the rising environmental crisis of global warming, researchers have been searching for alternative energy sources and architects designing energy efficient houses that will save the earth. In recent years, different forms of energy have been used and people have become more aware of how much energy they use. However, there are many people still using too much energy and building inefficient houses.
So why are you here?
Energy has different forms, for example atomic energy (nuclear energy), chemical energy, electrical energy, heat energy, light energy, mechanical energy, and radiation energy (including solar radiation).
Due to our overuse of non-renewable sources of energy, such as coal for electricity, the temperature of the earth is believed to have increased and some scientists think this may lead to climate changes and widespread flooding of low-lying areas as the increased temperature causes the sea to expand.
So, we should try to decrease energy use, and to change to renewable sources of energy, such as the sun and build houses that are energy efficient.
Task
Students will do background research of energy and the Greenhouse effect.
Complete question about energy and different uses of energy.
Design an energy efficient house plan, describing how their house meets the criteria.
Process
1. You are to complete the research and answer the questons below in your books
- What is energy? (No more than 1-2 paragraphs)
- What are renewable energy resources? Give three examples
- What are non-renewable energy resources? Give two examples.
- What is solar energy?
- Name two main ways of using solar energy to produce electricity
Use the following websites to help:
http://www.sustainableenergy.qld.edu.au/html/what.html
http://www.sustainableenergy.qld.edu.au/sources/index.html
http://www.sustainableenergy.qld.edu.au/sources/solar.html
2. Greenhouse Effect
Read about the greenhouse effect and answer the following questions
- Write down what the greenhouse effect is
- Write down the 6 steps of the Green house effect an draw a diagram in your book
Use the following website to help:
http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science/greenhouse…
3. Energy efficient Home
You will design an energy efficient house and provide written explanations of how the house is efficient.
Before you design the house, you need to answer the following questions
- List 5 ways in which you can protect your home from escaping heat or from too much heat coming in during the summer.
Use this website to help:
http://life.gaiam.com/article/5-tricks-reduce-your-homes-heat-loss
- List at least 10 ways in which you can save heat energy in different rooms in your home. Explain how each way can actually save heat energy.
(complete this table in your book)
| Ways to save heat energy | How can this method save heat energy |
Use the website below to help
http://switchon.vic.gov.au/more-ways-to-save/top-10-ways-to-save-energy
***Now its time to design your house. Collect your instruction sheet from your teacher
Use the below website as well as your research above to design your energy efficient house
Useful Websites
http://www.todayshomes.com.au/custom-designs/energy-efficient-design.as…
http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-home-design
***Finish your house design/plan and hand in your work next lesson.
Conclusion
After completing this task you should be more aware of how you can save energy and slow Global warming. As future designers, architects and house builders your homes can be built with energy efficiency in mind.
Credits
Muneeza Rathore