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Energy & Green Practices

© Buildwise, LLC

Publication Review

Title: Sustainable Home Technical Manual - 4: Energy
Author: (Third Addition) Commonwealth of Australia, 2005
File: Free Technical Manual, PDF
4.0: Introduction: 287 KB, 4 pages
4.1: White Goods: 183 KB, 4 pages
4.2: Hot Water Service: 127 KB, 3 pages
4.3: Solar Hot Water: 143 KB, 3 page
4.4: Heating and Cooling: 344 KB, 5 page
4.5: Lighting: 176 KB, 3 page
4.6: Renewable Electricity: 184 KB, 3 page
4.7: Photovoltaic Systems: 287 KB, 3 page
4.8: Wind Systems: 205 KB, 3 page
4.9: Micro Hydro Systems: 235 KB, 3 page
4.10 Batteries and Inverters: 140 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:

• 4.0: Introduction
  • energy sources
  • electricity
  • gas
  • wood
  • other renewable sources
  • efficient energy use, hot water, heating & cooling, cooking, electrical appliances, lighting, etc.
  • reducing stand-by energy consumption

• 4.1: White Goods - Household Appliances
  • choosing and using appliances by type
  • appliance energy rating system
  • building design considerations

• 4.2: Hot Water Service
  • types of hot water systems
  • storage water heaters
  • instantaneous water heaters
  • energy sources - solar, natural gas, electric, solid fuels
  • choosing
  • design and installation
  • hot water tips

• 4.3: Solar Hot Water
  • solar collectors
  • frost protection
  • open vs closed circuit
  • passive vs active systems
  • storage tanks
  • booster systems
  • solar boosted heat pumps
  • choosing a solar system
  • choosing the right size
  • positioning and other installation tips
  • operating and maintaining

• 4.4: Heating and Cooling
  • heating considerations
  • energy choices
  • central heating
  • ducted or forced air
  • hydronic systems
  • in-slab floor heating
  • space heating, electric and gas
  • wood and other solid fuel heating
  • heat shifters
  • cooling
  • mechanical cooling devices
  • fans
  • evaporative coolers, swamp coolers
  • refrigerated coolers, air conditioners
  • practical tips for heating and cooling

• 4.5: Lighting
  • types of lighting
  • incandescent
  • low voltage
  • fluorescent
  • efficient lighting choices and comparison chart
  • switches and controls
  • using lights efficiently

• 4.6: Renewable Electricity
  • renewable sources
  • photovoltaic panels
  • wind generators
  • micro hydro generators
  • grid connected systems
  • stand alone systems
  • Australian rebates
  • reducing electricity consumption
  • general rules

• 4.7: Photovoltaic Systems
  • solar modules
  • orientation
  • elevation
  • installation
  • array frames
  • building integrated PV modules
  • roof integration

• 4.8: Wind Systems
  • installing domestic wind systems
  • siting and installation
  • turbine controls
  • tower design and installation

• 4.9: Micro Hydro Systems
  • design and siting
  • installation
  • DC systems
  • AC systems

• 4.10: Batteries and inverters
  • battery banks
  • battery installation
  • battery maintenance
  • battery disposal
  • inverter installation
  • grid connected systems
  • battery based systems
  • battery charger installation
  • generator installation

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