| In any climate, if you're thinking of going green, passive | | | | enough for safety and escape routes. Large openings |
| solar energy design is the best place to start. | | | | such as garden doors should be covered with |
| Affordable passive solar homes are easy to construct | | | | insulated draperies or shutters during the winter. |
| using the same basic materials as conventional | | | | Evergreen trees or an earth berm on this side help to |
| housing. All it takes is a little thought and some clever | | | | block frigid winter winds. |
| manipulation of the sun and wind and you can save | | | | - 6. Plantings ~ Deciduous plantings (leaves fall off in |
| thousands of dollars on energy bills throughout the | | | | the winter) in the form of trees, trellises, arbors, |
| lifetime of your home. | | | | pergolas and pots, provide ample shade in the summer |
| Although many of our passive solar home design tips | | | | when placed near windows and doorways but allow |
| can be easily and inexpensively applied to an existing | | | | winter sun lots of access to warm the home after |
| home the most effective passive solar power | | | | their leaves have fallen off. Way more than shading |
| dwellings are carefully planned from the outset to take | | | | the area, trees and other greenery actually cool the air. |
| best advantage of the sun's natural rhythm. | | | | In much the same way as an air conditioner, greenery |
| A long and shallow house that faces as close to true | | | | drinks in gallons, even dozens of gallons, of humidity |
| south as possible is a good start. East and west walls | | | | from the surrounding air, making tree shade superior to |
| will have little exposure to the sun while the north | | | | awning shade. |
| should have the fewest windows. | | | | - 7. Patios ~ Outdoor living spaces add ambience and, |
| In cooler climates most of your energy bill represents | | | | of course, living area for your summer activities. Plan |
| heating and cooling costs. Passive solar energy | | | | an outdoor cooking area on your shady patio to keep |
| principles revolve around regulating your home's interior | | | | the heat out of the house on sultry summer evenings. |
| temperature by inviting as much sun as possible in | | | | - 8. Entryways ~ A separate entryway or mud room |
| during the winter months while discouraging it in | | | | allows you to exit and enter the house, greet guests |
| summer. | | | | and cart in groceries and other needs without |
| | | | exposing the house to the elements. Use an energy |
| Here are some of our favorite tips for collecting free | | | | efficient space heater to regulate the temperature of |
| passive solar energy. | | | | this space. |
| - 1. Insulation ~ Not the prettiest aspect but it absolutely | | | | - 9. Thermal Mass ~ Thermal materials such as stone, |
| makes the most of a passive solar design. Without | | | | brick or concrete floors. window ledges/seats and |
| adequate insulation in floors, ceilings, walls and around | | | | islands or half walls, readily absorb the sun's thermal |
| electrical outlets, doors, windows and dryer vents all of | | | | rays to be slowly released into the evening hours. A |
| your other passive solar efforts will be unimpressive. | | | | depth of at least 4 inches of thermal material works |
| - 2. East ~ Plan a breakfast patio on the east side of | | | | best. |
| your home where you can soak up the sun on | | | | - 10. Covered Verandas ~ The best place for a deep, |
| summer mornings before the heat of the day sets in. | | | | covered veranda is on the west side of the house to |
| Plantings, awnings and insulated window coverings will | | | | provide a cool afternoon space. The veranda will keep |
| keep the sun out of the house in the summers. | | | | the afternoon sun from intruding into your living space |
| - 3. West ~ The best place for a deep covered | | | | during the summer. Avoid covered verandas on the |
| veranda. Watch the sun set from the cool shade of | | | | south side as they do not allow sufficient sunlight to |
| your covered porch. Plan a windbreak of trees to the | | | | enter the home for warmth in the winter. |
| north west to keep the winter winds at bay. | | | | In very cold climates, properly applied passive solar |
| - 4. South ~ (north in the southern hemisphere) This is | | | | principles can provide all the summer cooling you'll |
| the side of the house that collects the most passive | | | | require and most of your winter heating needs as well. |
| solar power. Orient your house and most of your | | | | The addition of a wood or pellet burning stove or |
| windows and doorways facing in this direction. | | | | energy efficient space heater can provide sufficient |
| Awnings or shallow overhangs will keep the sun out in | | | | heat throughout even very cold winters. |
| the summer while allowing it in during the winter. | | | | One size does not fit all when making passive solar |
| - 5. North ~ (south in the southern hemisphere) There | | | | plans for a home. |
| is little or no opportunity for solar gain on the shady | | | | Properly researched passive solar design for your |
| side of your home, but a great deal of heat can be | | | | specific location will result in a home that operates |
| lost through these openings. Windows to the north, or | | | | efficiently and comfortably with minimal use of fossil |
| the shady side of the house should be minimal, just | | | | energy. That's good news for all of us. |