Methods for designing a bio-climatically adapted zero-energy prefabricated modular building

Abstract

Methods for designing a bio-climatically adapted affordable Zero-Energy prefabricated modular building such as for housing, in which a Layered disposition of Envelope elements—including Structural Insulated Panels—in the wall, floor and roof sections, provide a highly energy-efficient Building Envelope, which together with a modular building Support Structure including Aeriated Frames, and an adequately sized renewable energy power generator system, inexpensively achieves the energetic independence of the building. In these methods, different possible configurations of the relevant elements of the Building Envelope, the building structure and the renewable power generator system are evaluated, discarding those configurations which don't meet the defined acceptable criteria for energy-efficiency, thermal isolation and water condensation risks. The building has a low environmental impact thanks to reduced greenhouse emissions during its construction and its useful life.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by patent is as follows: 
     
         1 . A method for calculation of acceptable parameters of Intervening-Layers of an energy-efficient Building Envelope for a Zero-Energy building comprising:
 a) a database containing constants and a first set of variables to be used by the method, said constants including maximum K-values allowed for an Envelope-Wall-Section, an Envelope-Roof-Section and an Envelope-Floor-Section in function of exterior temperature at a projected location of the Zero-Energy building;   b) input by a User of values of a second set of variables to be used in the method, including bio-climatic conditions at the projected location of the Zero-Energy building, a projected surface area of the Envelope-Wall-Section, the Envelope-Roof-Section and the Envelope-Floor-Section, and a plurality of options for at least one Envelope Layer of at least one Envelope Section including information about thickness, vapor permeability and heat transfer properties of each option of each Envelope Layer;   c) verification of a “No-Condensation” Condition by comparing a temperature to a dew point temperature at each Envelope Layer of each Envelope Section; and   d) verification of a “K-Max” Condition by comparing the K-value of each Envelope Section to the maximum K-values entered in step a.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising automatic selection of the options for each Envelope Layer of each Envelope Section that minimize total K-value of the Building Envelope through the use of optimization software. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a) input by a User of prices of each option of each Envelope Layer; and 
 b) automatic selection of the options for each Envelope Layer of each Envelope Section that minimize the total cost of the Building Envelope through the use of optimization software. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the thicknesses, thermal conductivities, and vapor permeabilities of at least two options of at least one of the Envelope-Layers are considered for the determination of the combinations of Envelope-Layer options that minimize the total K-value of the Building Envelope. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the thicknesses, thermal conductivities, vapor permeabilities and prices of at least two commercially available options of at least one of the Envelope-Layers are considered for the determination of the combinations of Envelope-Layer options that minimize the total cost of the Building Envelope.