http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/cub_/lessons/cub_housing/cub_housing_lesson05.xmllessontext/xmlIntegrated Teaching and Learning Program, buildingcivil engineercivil engineeringcoolingefficiencyefficientenergyenergy efficientheatinghomehousehousingrenewable energypassive solar designsheltersolarsunventilationcivil engineerHVACpassive solar designthermal masswatt

Students are introduced to passive solar design for buildings — an approach that uses the sun’s energy and the surrounding climate to provide natural heating and cooling. They learn about some of the disadvantage of conventional heating and cooling and how engineers incorporate passive solar designs into our buildings for improved efficiency.

A widespread interest in passive solar design is growing as energy costs increase and the realities of global climate change become apparent. Organizations, companies, schools and families are looking to engineers to make it happen. Civil engineers study and design the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in existing and newly-constructed buildings, suggesting ways to incorporate more passive solar design techniques to lower costs and energy use, minimize maintenance, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide comfortable indoor environments for people. Describe drawbacks to standard heating and cooling appliances.Define passive solar design.Identify a few different passive solar design techniques.Describe the role that engineers play in passive solar design.20TeachEngineering.orgJonathan MacNeilMalinda Schaefer ZarskeDenise W. Carlsonhttp://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10270http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/construction/solardesign/index.htmlhttp://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/PassiveSol.htmlhttp://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/construction/solardesign/thermal.htmlhttp://www.solarwall.comS114171DInternational_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyJ. The alignment of technological processes with natural processes maximizes performance and reduces negative impacts on the environment. 912S11417E0International_Technology_Education_Association-ITEA_STL_StandardsTechnologyM. Energy resources can be renewable or nonrenewable. 912S11424CCColoradoScienced. Identify different energy forms, and calculate their amounts by measuring their defining characteristics912S11425CFColoradoSciencea. Develop, communicate, and justify an evidence-based scientific explanation regarding the costs and benefits of exploration, development, and consumption of renewable and nonrenewable resources 912United StatesCopyright 2012 - Integrated Teaching and Learning Program, College of Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulderhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-09-089Teacher