Chapter 1, Problem 30P

To determine

The rough estimate in % for a typical suburban house for the given specifications.

Answer to Problem 30P

  $13.4\%$

Explanation of Solution

Given:

A suburban house outside wall consists of window area.

Formula used:

Area of rectangle is,

  $A=\text{length}\times \text{breadth}$

Calculation:

Suppose the approximate dimension of the house is $40\text{ ft }\times 30\text{ ft }\times 8\text{ ft }$

Also assume that the house has ten windows each of dimension $3\text{ ft }\times 5\text{ ft }$

Area of wall of the house can be calculated as:

  $\begin{array}{l}A=2\left(l+b\right)h\\ A=2\left(40+30\right)\times 8\\ A=1120{\text{ ft}}^2\end{array}$

Total area of windows

  $\begin{array}{c}{A}_W=lb\times 10\\ =5\times 3\times 10\\ =150{\text{ ft}}^2\end{array}$

Percentage of window area can be calculated as:

  $\begin{array}{c}\%=\frac{A_{Window}}{A_{wall}}\times 100\\ =\frac{150}{1120}\times 100\\ =13.4\%\end{array}$

Conclusion:

  $13.4\%$ is the rough estimate for a typical suburban house.