passive solar design

passive solar design

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Passive solar design is a design and construction style that takes advantage of the sun's heat through south facing windows to provide the bulk of heating and cooling that a home requires. By optimizing the home's position, position of windows, position of trees and bushes, the type of windows selected and other factors involved in building and designing a home, it virtually eliminates or greatly lessens the need for active heating systems, whether solar or electric based. Passive solar design is also referred to as climatic design, because it takes advantages of the climate and surrounding area of a home to provide heating.

Some homes can be heated completely by the sun, while others may require other heating methods in conjunction to passive solar methods. Generally, passive solar design does not incorporate electrical pumps, fans or controls to keep heat moving through a home, but instead relies on non electric or solar powered methods, including the placement of items in the home.

There are several elements of passive solar design. First, the heat or energy must be collected. This is generally done through the placement of windows, the type of windows, size of windows and optimizing the direction that the home faces.

Next, the placement of heat absorbing walls and floors is also important to insure the optimal absorption of sun coming through the windows.

Third, the walls and floors need to incorporate thermal mass, which is found beneath floors and inside of walls. Thermal mass insures that the heat from the sun is stored and properly retained.

Fourth, a home must incorporate distribution methods to insure the heat is moved through the home efficiently and comfortably.

Lastly, the control of the heat in the home is crucial. A passive solar design can use overhangs, vents, shade and other methods to control the amount of heat that the home receives from the sun.

Passive solar design is more easily incorporated into a new home design, however, passive solar design methods can also be introduced to existing homes.

This informational article is sponsored by one of the most highly-regarded green architecture firms in Asheville, NC: Carlton Architecture. For more information about solar design and green home design, visit their web site at: http://www.carltonarchitecture.com

Passive solar design: budget solar