Minneapolis Climate

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/recs/climate_zone.html

Warm humid summerFreezing winter + SnowWindy fall and spring

High Humidity

(southern part of MN)

High humidity

Medium rainfall (as compared to other parts of the US)

Moderate summer + cool transition + very cold winter

Dry bulb temp on x-axis and humidity on y-axis

Minneapolis climate vs Comfort Zone

Multiple strategies

Evaluate which green strategies would work best ..

SUMMER:• Near comfort zone only certain days in summer• Thermal mass effect + Natural ventilation are effective strategies• (Thermal mass helpful for both winter and summer)

Evaluate which green strategies would work best

WINTER:• Passive solar works for certain parts of winter (+ thermal mass)• Active heating system has to be used• Using neighbor building, earth shelter can be other passive strategies• Active heating – geothermal can be used to save energy

Evaluate which green strategies would work best ..

Passive Solar + Thermal mass

• Optimum position of building mass

Wind primarily from southeast and northwest-natural ventilation should be dsgned for these directions(Synonymous with passive solar orientation) http://climate.umn.edu/wind/kmsp.htm

Zoning requirement: wind turbine for 4-storey house and up.