Logging micro climate to aid design
Last Post 26 Aug 2014 09:42 AM by ICFHybrid. 7 Replies.
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RogerStrawbaleUser is Offline
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21 Aug 2014 06:53 PM
Hi, We are planning to build a Straw-bale construction home on an empty lot 600 miles from where we live. To get a better ideal what the micro climate is I am thinking about installing a weather station in order to log the data over a year or longer. The data can be stored on a memory card or via tcp/ip using a 3G modem or even a aprs equipped ham radio station. Am I overthinking this and do you have recommendations what equipment to use as I have been unable to find a solution.
ICFHybridUser is Offline
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21 Aug 2014 09:23 PM
Seems like you might be better off finding a close weather station. A number of amateurs operate them and log the data.
sailawayrbUser is Offline
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21 Aug 2014 09:48 PM
A year’s worth of weather data is statistically insignificant for forecasting future climatic conditions (e.g., temps and RH). Have you explored WeatherSpark?

http://weatherspark.com/
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jdebreeUser is Offline
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22 Aug 2014 06:55 AM
I've been living on our property for 3 years, and the weather has been erratic. Two years ago, we hit a new all-time high of 107 F. Last summer, it only reached 90 a handful of times, and we had double our normal rainfall for the year. See the problem?
BadgerBoilerMNUser is Offline
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22 Aug 2014 04:50 PM
You are over thinking this.

The residential standard for heat load analysis is ACCA Manual 'J".

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/bldrs_lenders_raters/downloads/Outdoor_Design_Conditions_508.pdf

The heat represents the heat flow rather than a fixed amount. So a liberal heat load means that the average low temperature, say the 97.5% dry bulb, will occur but a few days or even ours in a typical heating season. On the rare occasion the mean extreme may be reached but thermal inertia will tend to carry the average structure through these short periods without sacrificing creature comfort. A fairly rare argument for high thermal mass dependent on climate.

Thus CAD heat load models based on Manual 'J'. It is one thing to perform a room-by-room heat load by hand and quite another to model different heating systems, orientations, insulation, glazing and as Dana points out, human. The Wrightsoft program I use also accounts for appliances, lighting and indoor plants made more important as the thermal envelope is improved and the U-value of building assemblies goes down.

As is demonstrated by the outrageous heat loads so often suggested on this blog, and usually corrected by Dana's remarkable math skills in short order. Proper heat loads are too important for WAG engineering or misleading advertisements for "free heat load software" etc.
The heat loads will be effected by the heat source and distribution systems e.g. higher loads for warm air than properly designed radiant floor heating systems. You can down load free trials well established software such such as Wrightsoft or LoopCAD but the learning curve is steep and results questionable sans experienced review.
MA<br>www.badgerboilerservice.com
jonrUser is Offline
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22 Aug 2014 10:26 PM
I also think there is little value in it. But if you want to do it, compare some minimum temp measurements to whatever the reference station used for design temp is seeing for that same period and come up with a correction factor that you apply to design temp. But a few percent is far less than typical Man J errors.

RogerStrawbaleUser is Offline
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26 Aug 2014 01:58 AM
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Roger
ICFHybridUser is Offline
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26 Aug 2014 09:42 AM
I do want to point out that data logging can be useful for solar site surveys or even determining special needs for wind resistance. Precipitation can also vary quite a bit over a relatively small distance due to "rain shadowing" and the like. But, simple temperature variations can usually be addressed by using a suitable local data set.
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