Exploring the use of passive Trombe envelope heating systems in South Bend, Indiana
- Student
- Charles Sardi
- College(s)
- School of Architecture
- Faculty Advisor
- John Onyango
- Class Year
- 2022
Abstract
‘Energy burden’ is the portion of a household’s income allocated to adequately heating and cooling one’s home. The region of South Bend, Indiana has been proven to exhibit ‘high’ energy burdens that can be relieved by the introduction of more cost-effective household heating strategies. Cost-effective heating strategy such as the Trombe envelope system offer passive heating capabilities to a building with little to no maintenance or electrical cost when compared to conventional heating systems. They rely on low-grade, freely available renewable energy from the sun to passively heat a well-insulated space. This Capstone project analyzed and tested the ability of a Trombe envelope system in reducing heating costs and adequately heating a modestly-sized, stand-alone structure in South Bend, Indiana where the typical average March temperature ranges from 29 – 47 (F).
Introduction
The term ‘energy burden’ refers to a household’s portion of income that is needed for adequately heating and cooling their home. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) defines ‘high’ energy burden as a portion of household income that exceeds 6%.1 Energy burden in the State of Indiana is on average over 8-10% of income for low-income households.2 In South Bend, Indiana it is estimated that up to 30% of households are designated as ‘low income’. This is defined by the ACEEE as an income that is ≤ 200% of the federal poverty level. According to the ACEEE, 60% of households designated as ‘low income’ face a ‘severe’ energy burden that is ≥10% of their household income. High energy burdens in the South Bend region can be relieved by the introduction of more cost-effective household heating strategies.
One such cost-effective heating strategy is the Trombe envelope system. Trombe envelope systems offer passive heating capabilities to a building with little to no maintenance or energy cost when compared to conventional heating systems. They rely on low-grade, freely available renewable energy from the sun to passively heat a well-insulated space. This Capstone project analyzed and tested the ability of a Trombe envelope system in reducing heating costs while also examining its effectiveness in adequately heating a modestly sized stand-alone structure in Northern Indiana where the typical average March temperature ranges from 29 – 47 (F). The test was conducted over a period of two weeks during the months of March and April. The testing period aimed to capture below-average, average, and above-average typical temperatures for the months of March and April in South Bend, Indiana.
End Notes
1 (ACEEE), Ariel Drehobl, Lauren Ross, Roxana Ayala. “How High Are Household Energy Burdens?” American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, September 2020, https://www.aceee.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/u2006.pdf
2 U.S. Department of Energy, “Low-Income Household Energy Burden Varies Among States – Efficiency Can Help In All of Them”, December 2018, https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/01/f58/WIP-Energy-Burden_final.pdf