Lizzy+Mitch+Jess

Manaus, Brazil, South America 3° South, 60° West

Why build "Zero" Impact Homes?
A zero impact home is a home that incorporates landscape and constructional features that are energy efficient, while still acquiring the basic necessities in order to run a home.

When we burn fossil fuels, we are exposing the environment to an excess amount of pollution. It also speeds up the greenhouse effect by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as well. The burning of fossil fuels can result in acid rain, lung disease, and water pollution. The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere can cause abnormal climate change. By reducing fossil fuel source electricity, we can minimize the amount of pollution we release into the atmosphere, and the amount of carbon dioxide we release as well.

Overuse of our water resources is not good for the environment because if we overuse them, we will eventually run out. Living organisms on Earth like people, plants, and animals need water for drinking in order to survive. Humans also need the water for bathing and washing, and plants need water for photosynthesis, which produces oxygen for us and the other animals. If we ever did run out of water, we would have to rely on outside sources in order to get our water. This process would require the use of fossil fuels. Big trucks, which require gas in order to function, would have to transport the water. Runoff from our homes can cause pollution.

"Site considerations" like climate information and path of sun information are important in designing a zero impact home. Climate information tells you how to keep your house at a reasonable temperature during the different seasons. You can plant trees in front of your house to help provide shade during the summer time. You can also install shades, or an overhead shade to help block out the sun. The path of the sun is important because it tells you how much energy the house will absorb during the day, and it will tell you where the sun will be at its most direct and indirect angles.

Shade during the summer will be provided if you plant trees in front of your house.

Site Considerations:
Manaus, Brazil, South America is in a tropical wet and dry climate zone with an a verage temperature of 26.75°C and a yearly temp. range of 1.5°C. Tropical wet and dry climates have temperatures and total precipitation similar to those in the wet tropics, but experience distinct periods of low precipitation. Savannas which are tropical grass-lands with drought resistant trees are wet and dry climates.

Hottest month: 27.5°C, October Coldest month: 26.0°C, February Average rainfall: 195mm Rainiest months: 330mm, March Driest months (if there are major rain seasons): 60mm, August

Climograph of Manaus, Brazil (above). Path of the sun (above).

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">In Manaus, during the winter time, the Sun rises NE at 67°, and it sets NW at 293°. During the summer, the Sun rises SE at 114°, and it sets NW at 246°.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Sun hits its noon high point at 63.5° during the winter, and during the summer, the Sun hits its noon point at 69.7°.

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">The Sun hitting its noon point during <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;"> the winter (left) and the summer (right). **Design Features**

This is a fluores cent light bulb, which will help turn electricity into light.

This is a solar panel, a panel designed to absorb the sun's rays for electricity or heating. This will help save electricity by converting sunlight into energy.

This is a rain bucket, a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof. In Manaus, Brazil, South America, we get about 330 mm of rain each year, and since we live in a wet and dry climate, we won't get as much water as other climates. Therefore, we will use the rain bucket to get extra water for washing clothes, dishes, etc. - must include pictures of model

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> This is a clothesline which is a type of rope, cord, or twine that has been stretched between two points. By letting our clothes dry on their own, and not using a washing machine or dryer, we are saving water and electricity.

=__<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode','Lucida Grande',sans-serif;">Our House: __= Floor plans Side view of model Front view of model