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design
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31
In cool climates
Using brickwork to harness
the free heating of low-angle winter sun
requires appropriate northern glazing.
Adequate glazing to the north is important
to allow the penetration of low winter sun to
warm internal thermal mass.Windows on the
southern façade cannot take advantage of
winter sun and only add to heat loss in
winter.
In cold climates
If solar gain is insufficient,
the thermal mass of the external walls can
drain internal heat if not designed well.
Insulation of the exterior masonry walls and
careful design to avoid thermal bridging are
needed for these environments.
Further research
The work of The University of Newcastle
research team is ongoing.The team is
currently analysing the impact of curtains on
windows, carpet on floors, the construction of
partition walls and the difference between
horizontal and vertical format thermal mass.
The hard data gathered from first principles
testing of the test buildings has contributed
to the development of a computer modelling
tool called NUMBERS.This tool is able to
model various formats of brick construction
in order to measure the impact on thermal
performance.The hope is that this work will
contribute to future upgrades of Australian
thermal-performance modelling engines.
The University of Newcastle report and
‘Energy Efficiency and the Environment:
The Case for Clay Brick’ are available for
download from Think Brick Australia
(www.thinkbrick.com.au).
Also recommended is the ‘Energy Smart
Housing Manual’ published by Sustainability
Victoria (sustainability.vic.gov.au), chapter
six of which focuses specifically on
thermal mass.
Large, shaded, north-facing
windows admit the low winter
sun to warm the interior while
excluding the higher summer
sun. Hard flooring such as
ceramic tiles on a concrete
slab helps absorb and retain
solar energy.