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 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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