Passive Solar Homes Save Energy on Cooling All Year Round
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Posted On :
Nov-19-2014
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Article Word Count :
606
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Options include slab-on-grade floors covered in materials like tile or stone, exterior and interior mass walls, water-filled containers used to store heat and hot tubs or saunas.
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In chapter 11 of BAE Residential Energy’s Builder’s Guide, passive solar homes are described as an energy efficient way to ensure climate control and comfortable living all year round. These homes allow modern design options like large glass windows, sunrooms, and tile floors, which will help sustain cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
The design of passive solar homes leads to a low energy bill, and the design includes energy conservation features. According to chapter eleven, glass should be concentrated on the south side of the passive solar home. This is because glass windows will allow for sunlight when it’s cool, and can be shaded when it’s too warm in the summer. Floors should be covered with a cool surface, like tile. Ventilation is also important in the construction of passive solar homes. Natural breezes are the best for cooling, but ceiling fans are also a good option and will help conserve energy.
The construction of the home is very important, according to chapter 11 of BAE Residential Energy’s Builder’s Guide. Heavily used rooms, like the family room and kitchen, should be constructed on the south side of the home. Rooms that are used at night or rooms that are seldom used should be located on the north side of the home. Outside areas should also be considered. When built on the east or west side of the home, the area will receive summer shading, but west-facing areas may be too warm in the afternoon. And when constructing outside balconies on the second floor, one must be cognizant of how this will affect the lower level’s sun exposure.
Chapter 11 specifies that these second floor outdoor areas should be no more than four feet wide as to allow sunlight to penetrate first floor windows, especially in cooler months.
Passive solar windows are another important component to keep the home cooled and heated properly throughout the year. Low-emissivity windows will conserve energy by screening sunlight during the day and keeping the heat in during the night, so they help save energy throughout the year.
Chapter 11 also details the benefits of thermal storage mass in a passive solar home. The main benefit is that it keeps temperatures constant, which improves energy performance year round. Chapter 11 mentions four passive solar designs: direct gain, passive solar sunspace, thermal storage walls and solar air collector. Each handles sunlight, produces energy savings, and cools a home in a unique way.
Direct gain solar design is detailed very specially in Chapter 11. It states that windows facing the south receive direct light, and direct gain solar design allows that heat to be released into the home later on in the night when it gets cooler. Passive solar design uses areas of the home that are not affected by an air conditioner or heating system. This allows the sun’s heat to remain unaffected by such devices and transfers that heat to other parts of the home. Thermal storage walls use the sun’s heat and radiate it into cooler parts of the home, while solar air collectors do almost the same thing with vents.
There are also several ways to optimize the passive solar design built into a home. Options include slab-on-grade floors covered in materials like tile or stone, exterior and interior mass walls, water-filled containers used to store heat and hot tubs or saunas.
While there are plenty of way to build a passive solar home, it will all begin with a strategy. Thorough research must be conducted to decide which options are best for each home.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Passive Solar Homes Save Energy on Cooling All Year Round_307425.aspx
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Author Resource :
Learn more about keeping cool all year round with passive solar homes in chapter 11.
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Keywords :
Solar, Energy,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Home Improvement
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