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Lesson 2: Earth Sheltering

Earth sheltering is a method of homebuilding in which the architect designs for the house to be built into the naturally occurring landscape, such as into a hill. What benefits might one get from constructing an earth-sheltered home?

Doing the science

  1. Start the Sunny Shelter Simulation by clicking on the "Sim" tab.
  2. Make the following selections:
    • House Size: Small
    • Sheltering: Not Earth Sheltered
    • Window Direction: North Facing
    • Window Size: Small
    • Window Tint: Absent
    • Thermal Mass: Low
    • Material R-value: 10
    • Season: Summer
  3. Click on the Design House Now button.
  4. The Energy Usage Thermometer is to the right of the image. Record the value in Table 1 below.
  5. Click the Design Menu button to return to the main screen.
  6. Repeat steps 2-5 only changing Sheltering to Earth Sheltered and complete your table.
  7. Repeat steps 2-6 only changing Season to Winter.

Table 1.

Sheltering

Not Earth-Sheltered

Earth-Sheltered

Summer Energy Reading

Winter Energy Reading

Do You Understand?

  1. Does earth-sheltering make a house more or less energy efficient? (Note: The relationship between the energy usage reading and energy efficiency is inversely related.)


  2. Infer the most likely reason that earth-sheltering affects energy usage.


  3. Was there a relationship between sheltering, season, and energy use? If so, discuss the relationship.