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The Art of Passive Solar Design

An important component of designing a comfortable passive solar home involves variations on the basic principles, including your specific preferences for room layout and less-than-perfect sites. The following are variations we are often asked to take into account:

  • A south wall that needs to face more than 15% off of true south
  • Views desired to the west, east, and north
  • A tall south wall, or one that has gables
  • A south porch that is integral to the preferred design style
  • No tile or brick floors
  • Natural cooling in homes with no air conditioning
  • A wood stove or hearth as the primary auxiliary back-up heat source
  • Equipment and furniture for which little direct sun is desired

The design of a house is a form of art in which there is much interpretation as to what is correct or beautiful. Our designs combine a balance of technology and art. We take a simpler, more artistic approach, and design using the Passive Solar Design Strategies developed by the Sustainable Building Industries Council (formerly the Passive Solar Industries Council).

The designs that we have been able to monitor have had the actual energy consumption of the home be very similar to our energy analyses. We also like this design methodology because, unlike other energy analysis tools, it tells you the percentage of your heat that the sun is providing. It lets you compare strategies such as adding insulation or increasing south glass.

next: Sun-Inspired Design

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