-explain what a zero impact home is -explain why reducing fossil fuel source electricity and heating use is good for the environment (make sure to talk about carbon dioxide and climate change) -explain why overuse of our water resources is not good for the environment, especially in areas where there is not a lot (where do we get our water from? How does this impact plants and animals?) and why runoff from our homes can be a problem too (in areas with lots of rain) -explain why "site considerations" like climate information and path of sun information are important in designing a zero impact home
Site Considerations
-describe climate in terms of:
average temp, yearly temp. range, hottest & coldest month
average rainfall and rainiest months/driest months if there are major rain seasons
include a climograph image
-describe path of Sun in your city
where does the Sun rise and set and hit its noon high point (compass directions-North, northeast etc.) during different seasons
how high is the Sun above the horizon at its noon high point during different seasons (angle- 40 degrees etc.)
include an image showing this (may be hand drawn)
Design Features
- describe features of home using web images/video and/or hand drawn images. - must include a site plan (bird's eye view of shape of building and layout of rooms showing compass directions, and labeling features that depend on orientation) - must include pictures of model
Why build "Zero" Impact Homes?
-explain what a zero impact home is-explain why reducing fossil fuel source electricity and heating use is good for the environment (make sure to talk about carbon dioxide and climate change)
-explain why overuse of our water resources is not good for the environment, especially in areas where there is not a lot (where do we get our water from? How does this impact plants and animals?) and why runoff from our homes can be a problem too (in areas with lots of rain)
-explain why "site considerations" like climate information and path of sun information are important in designing a zero impact home
Site Considerations
-describe climate in terms of:- average temp, yearly temp. range, hottest & coldest month
- average rainfall and rainiest months/driest months if there are major rain seasons
- include a climograph image
-describe path of Sun in your cityDesign Features
- describe features of home using web images/video and/or hand drawn images.- must include a site plan (bird's eye view of shape of building and layout of rooms showing compass directions, and labeling features that depend on orientation)
- must include pictures of model