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Passive solar houses in colder areas will use heat-absorbent materials in the building design to maximize natural heat retention. This article will discuss how passive solar homes are designed and provide real examples to outline the benefits of these design strategies in colder climates. In conclusion, sustainable housing trends are reshaping the way we conceive, design and inhabit our living spaces.
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The perimeter of the foundation wall or slab should be insulated to the frost line or around the slab perimeter. In a temperate or cold climate, the east and west walls of the sunspace should be insulated (no glass). The precise amount of equator-facing glass and thermal mass should be based on careful consideration of latitude, altitude, climatic conditions, and heating/cooling degree day requirements. 'Low-grade' energy needs, such as space and water heating, have proven over time to be better applications for passive use of solar energy. Objects and materials are placed behind these windows to absorb and retain the incoming heat. The materials used in these surfaces and objects are referred to as thermal mass materials due to their ability to effectively absorb and retain heat.
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James Cooper From Sanctum Design - Architecture and Design
James Cooper From Sanctum Design.
Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
As part of a top-to-bottom renovation, consider installing a geothermal heating and cooling system to conserve energy. They work by tapping into stable temperatures a few feet below the earth’s surface to heat and cool a home. Poor heat and moisture management are the enemies of durable, comfortable, and efficient housing, and good building design and construction starts with a solid understanding of good building science. In the meantime we decided to maintain our old farmhouse as best we could and be thankful for the roof over our heads.
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SIPs are sandwich panels with solid polystyrene (styrofoam) in the middle and oriented strand board structurally laminated to each side. One of the advantages of SIPs is that, if properly used, they are almost airtight, so a home will have minimal air infiltration. Keep in mind that you would also likely need to use mechanical ventilation, such as an energy recovery ventilator, for an airtight house to maintain indoor air quality while also maximizing energy efficiency. The light can be from passive windows or skylights and solar light tubes or from active daylighting sources. In traditional Japanese architecture the Shōji sliding panel doors, with translucent Washi screens, are an original precedent. International style, Modernist and Mid-century modern architecture were earlier innovators of this passive penetration and reflection in industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
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Stepping inside, the focus on natural light and connection to the outdoors continues, with a central courtyard featuring native plants offering a refuge from the sun and shaping the building’s organization. Thus, the Kalyon Energy Control Building stands as a testament to the potential for architecture to integrate with nature, fostering both ecological harmony and a sustainable workspace. The example above does not consider the increase in temperature and water content of the air caused by human occupants, opening doors, etc. Also, the comfort zones refer to people sitting at rest, and someone sweeping the floor may not be comfortable in those conditions. Also, fans are not considered passive devices, although their power consumption (typically about 50 Watts for a ceiling fan) is tiny compared to an air conditioner. First, a house should be designed so it is easy to exchange the inside air for outside air when the conditions are right.
Solar panels
Passive solar design strategies were used to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Sited on an east-west axis, the home’s main living areas and window walls face due south. Western and eastern sun can provide warmth and lighting, but are vulnerable to overheating in summer if not shaded. In contrast, the low midday sun readily admits light and warmth during the winter, but can be easily shaded with appropriate length overhangs or angled louvres during summer and leaf bearing summer shade trees which shed their leaves in the fall. The amount of radiant heat received is related to the location latitude, altitude, cloud cover, and seasonal / hourly angle of incidence (see Sun path and Lambert's cosine law). Active solar refers to any system of solar panels whether it be photovoltaic power generation, or thermal solar where liquid passing through tubes collects heat to be redistributed through your house.
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The open floor plan across all levels, alongside double-height ceilings, fosters a naturally light and airy atmosphere. This eliminates the need for excessive artificial lighting and air conditioning. Furthermore, the lack of partitions between the ground floor, featuring an open kitchen and bedroom, and the mezzanine master suite, allows for natural ventilation to flow freely throughout the villa. This synergy between design and Indonesia’s tropical climate creates a comfortable and eco-friendly living environment. The shape and size of your roof can also constitute effective passive design. Adding a large overhang allows light into your home during wintertime because the sun is at a higher angle, says Rodriguez.
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These engineered lumber products utilize materials that would otherwise be waste, composite decking made of recycled plastics, and more. The basic form of this home is what I call the “Western Solar Farmhouse.” The floor plan is arranged around a central great room with a high-vaulted gable roof. Around the sides of the central great room are grouped rooms or porches with a lower-pitched hipped roof. The porches can go around all sides as they do in the classic plantation house design that’s built in tropical climates with shade cooling and “outdoor” rooms. The Western Solar Farmhouse’s central living area is typically a rectangle, and the solar gain rooms would usually be located on the long solar side.
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The thermal mass, a 6-18 inch thick masonry wall, is located immediately behind south facing glass of single or double layer, which is mounted about 1 inch or less in front of the wall’s surface. Solar heat is absorbed by the wall’s dark-colored outside surface and stored in the wall’s mass, where it radiates into the living space. Solar heat migrates through the wall, reaching its rear surface in the late afternoon or early evening. When the indoor temperature falls below that of the wall’s surface, heat is radiated into the room.
Thermal imaging can be used to document areas of poor thermal performance such as the negative thermal impact of roof-angled glass or a skylight on a cold winter night or hot summer day. In this large atrium, museum visitors can bask in the warmth of direct sunlight and radiant heat, even during Cleveland’s notoriously harsh winters. The building also incorporates a smart shading system (which can be seen partially on the right side of the roof) that can be released if direct sunlight should be blocked during the hot summer months.
Instead, today’s best passive solar design is the result of centuries of testing different layouts, materials, and systems for optimizing the way sunlight is used to heat and illuminate a living space. In most climates, an overhang or other devices, such as awnings, shutters, and trellises will be necessary to block summer solar heat gain. Landscaping can also help keep your passive solar home comfortable during the cooling season. If you are considering passive solar design for a new home or a major remodel, consult an architect familiar with passive solar techniques.
The greenhouse should allow us to grow more foods over winter, and startseedlings early for the main garden. This is a picture of Liz with a harvest fromour winter (outside) garden taken in February of 2004. To reduce unwanted heat gain in the summer, all windows should be shaded by an overhang or other devices such as awnings, shutters and trellises. If an awning on a south facing window protrudes to half of a window’s height, the sun’s rays will be blocked during the summer, yet will still penetrate into the house during the winter. The sun is low on the horizon during sunrise and sunset, so overhangs on east and west facing windows are not as effective.
The goal is to help users create more energy efficient, more sustainable buildings, each of which is uniquely suited to its particular spot on this planet. As a Green designee, realtor Cheneil Lowe sits on the Atlanta Realtors Association’s sustainability committee. She often works with clients to find the solar panels that work best for their home and energy bill budgets. “With solar panels, homeowners can significantly reduce their dependence on traditional electricity sources, leading to substantial savings on their electric bills over time,” Lowe says.
I usually recommend clear double glass for solar-oriented windows and “low-e” glazing on the other sides. Low-e glazing limits incoming heat in summer and reduces heat loss from the inside in winter. Using clear glass on the south wall windows allows more of the sun’s energy to warm the house in winter, when the sun will be able to enter the house through the south-facing windows. In colder climates, using insulative window drapes or blinds at night helps reduce overnight heat loss and increase comfort. Sunrays may fall on a wall during the daytime and raise the temperature of its thermal mass.
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