If you are about to build a home, looking for Energy Saving Techniques and can not or do not want to use Solar Panels, this one is for you. Some communities will not allow the use of Solar Panels for new construction so a Passive Solar Designis a great alternative. You will use the natural Heat of the sun to help warm your home in the winter and block the harsh heat in the summer. By simply choosing an effecitive floorplan, lot and window placement could make your home more energy efficient.
In order for this to work properly there needs to be a focus on the South Facing side of the house-many choose the back. Expertise in design from someone who has designed Passive Solar Homes in the past is a great idea as well.
As you know, the South side of the home gets the most Heat from the Sun. During the summer, the sun sits higher in the sky than in the winter. When you place overhangs at the windows, they help to block the Texas sun in the summer. With the windows properly sized and placed, they take direct heat in the winter-when you need it. Using materials such as concrete or ICF's on the exterior walls also help to act as a Thermal Mass in the process.
There are many other options to maximize your Passive Solar Design such as a Greenhouse or Patio to trap the heat during the day to use at night and the options for how your home can "look" are endless. A Green and Passive Solar Home can look just like about any other home built, they are just likely to be more energy efficient and save you money on your future utility bills.
Photo Courtesy of www.eere.energy.gov Another great website for more information
Other Green Topics:
The Difference Between High Performance and Green Homes
To Clear Up Some GREEN Confusion
Another Misconception of Green Building
One GREEN Misconception Put To Rest!
Why, why, why, don't more builders offer these simple solutions?
Stephanie,
This is a good topic - some passive solar design can be incorporated at very little cost. Too many people think of passive homes as ugly but as you point out they can look like any other home when done correctly.
Hi Dena, An amazing idea huh? :) This was being used something like 2000 years ago..yet many have not heard of it. Passive Solar should be a lot more common than what it is. IMO of course. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Rosario, I have no idea. Maybe because many of the lots are squashed together so close...no idea. Kind of like Tankless water heaters. Simple solution yet it is not even on most upgrade lists. Crazy.
Hi Rita, I agree with all of that. It is inexpensive, people who love natural light and windows would like this, and the features are actually attractive. Why not do passive? :) Thanks!
Thanks Chris, It is a new topic to a lot of people. I honestly did not know about it until I did Ecobroker and I find it fascinating now that it is not a concept used more often. Especially in Texas.
Hi Thesa, Isn't if funny how people really want green without knowing it? I am glad to hear that, especially for homes built in the 70's. Just goes to show that green and high performance designs really do pay off. Thanks for adding that!!
Hi Mana, it is in deed restrictions here in many neighborhoods that Solar Panels are considered and "eye sore". So is keeping your Garage door open. Hee Hee. I had a fight with my HOA about that once. Anyhow, Passive Solar would be a great alternative is that case.
Hi Katerina, Not all, but there are enough to mention. Did I miss the post?
Hi Ashley, Did he use a fan of some sort to take the heat from the sunroom to the rest of the house? I would be interested in knowing how he designed that. It sounds fantastic!
Thanks Matt!
Hi Paula, I am glad that it was helpful.
Hi Evan, The back of my home faces south. I am thinking about replacing those windows with double panes and adding overhangs to the structure. My bedrooms get SO hot in the middle of the day. I wish this concept was used much more often. You are so right, it saves LOTS of energy. Thank you for your input!