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FUTURE CONSTRUCTIONS CALL FOR MORE INGENUITY A
house built of steel plates without heating systems sounds unthinkable
in the northern part of Europe. The ThermoLogica - house was built several
years ago in Espergærde, Denmark, and has since been tested for
energy consumption, the quality of indoor climate, and counteraction
of asthmatic and allergic conditions.
A The thermal conduction quality of steel is used in the ThermoLogica principle to reduce the energy required to heat buildings. A steel plate is set into the ground and insulated on the interior. During the day and especially in the summertime the steel plates conduct the energy into the colder ground. In the night and during the winter the ground temperature is higher than the air temperature and the heat is conducted upwards through the steel plates. B Insulation is placed between the steel plates and the inner plates (ex. gypsium or wood) - The thickness depends on the local climatic conditions. (In Denmark thickness is 400 mm) C The heat exchangers with forced air change assures full exploitation of the indoor heat. D
"Free heating" is emitted from the electrical installations
(washing machines, refrigerators etc) in our homes and provides a comfortable
indoor temperature due to the ThermoLogica concept.
Test house in Espergærde, Denmark The steel plates have a dual functions as they support the roof structure and the story partition if multi story. As the tests progressed, it became increasingly evident that people with asthma or allergies experienced relief whilst staying in the house. This was investigated and tests proved that allergy-provoking dermatopagoides species (i.e. dust mites in carpets, beds, etc) were practically non-existent in the house. Also the occurrence of micro fungi in the house was measured and these were found only in the bathroom with one third of the values. Since then, 24 persons with various kinds of allergies and/or asthma have lived in the house for longer or shorter periods and experienced an improvement in health and increased quality of life People with no symptoms of allergies and/or asthma also feel more comfortable due to the clean climate. The existence of radon and the ensuing risk of lung cancer can also be eliminated. Due to the mechanical air control of the system it is possible to create an overpressure of 10 Pa in the house to prevent radon penetration. Experiments carried on supervised by the State Institute of Health Physics at Risø, Denmark, proved that this theory was correct. |
