Comal County MHMR Center passive solar demonstration program. Operation and evaluation final report

A stone school building, built in New Braunfels, Texas in 1934, was renovated for use as a mental health facility. Included in the renovation of the 4805 ft/sup 2/ building were cost effective passive solar and conservation options. The total cost for building renovation was $125,000 with the cost of the energy related options totaling $14,000. The passive solar and conservation options included in building construction were ceiling insulation, weather proofing, fluorescent lighting, roof evaporative spray cooling systems, awnings, and ceiling fans. Natural ventilation and night cooling are used to reduce the cooling load. Natural daylighting is utilized to replace the dependence on artificial lighting. The yearly space heating energy consumption at the MHMR Center was 16,000 Btu/ft/sup 2//year. The energy usage for lighting (including ceiling fans), water heating, and air conditioning was 7380 Btu/ft/sup 2//year, 2070 Btu/ft/sup 2//year, and 3700 Btu/ft/sup 2//year, respectively. Approximately 23% of the lighting load was for external night lighting. The average monthly utility bill, including natural gas and electric, for the 4805 ft/sup 2/ building was $171.