"Sun-Inspired
Home Plans" is a phrase that architect Debbie Rucker Coleman of Sun Plans Inc.
started using in the late 1980's when the phrase "passive solar" still had negative
connotations based on the extremely contemporary and uninviting solar homes of
the 1970's. Her designs were and still are inspired by the movement of the sun
and the heat and light that it emits. Sun-Inspired Home Plans has now been shortened
to Sun Plans, but the design principles remain the same:
Open,
spacious, and full of light
Inviting and unique (but somewhat
traditional) are the characteristics of our exteriors.
Functional—yet flexible to meet changing needs—is a quality of our floor plans.
Porches are often included for both shade and outdoor living.
Your home will feel larger than it is, since it will be full of natural sunlight.
Simple, cost-effective principles of passive solar heating and
passive cooling without the stark look of the solar designs of the 1960's and
70's.
Comfortable homes year-round.
Simple
passive solar concepts
The sun moves basically in the southern
half of the sky.
In winter, the sun is low and can enter beneath
overhangs.
In summer, the sun is high and is shaded by overhangs.
A home's shape, orientation, and overhangs all affect the amount of sun that
enters at various times of the year.
Our designs are inspired
by the location and movement of the sun.
Adaptable
to both hot and cold climates
In winter, the sun's heat is
desired.
In summer, we want the light but not the heat.
The amount of heat we want in spring and fall depends upon where we live.
Customized energy recommendations that come with every blueprint, erasable
vellum, or CAD order address the needs of your climate. We recommend any necessary
changes in the glazing, insulation, overhang lengths, and thermal mass based on
the climatic data for your area...this includes whether or not you
should build the sun-tempered or standard passive solar version.
Energy bills will be substantially lower
Heating costs
can be 25 to 50% less due to passive solar heating alone.
Energy bills
will be at least 30% less than a standard home of the same size.
Up to 90% savings for heating and cooling are possible when combined with
careful attention to insulation, caulking, and quality heating and cooling
equipment.
Cost-effective, energy-efficient construction
We emphasize
the quality of installation for the insulation and caulking.
Standard
construction details are used and dimensions are usually in 2' increments.
Most are designed with conventional construction methods with 2x6 exterior
walls. Our plans can be modified to include structurally insulated panels (SIPs)
and insulated concrete forms (ICFs).
Increase in construction
costs from approximately 0% to 10%.
Energy savings exceed increase
in mortgage payment so your net home expenses are less.
"Sun-Inspired
Home Plans" is a phrase that architect Debbie Rucker Coleman of Sun Plans Inc.
started using in the late 1980's when the phrase "passive solar" still had negative
connotations based on the extremely contemporary and uninviting solar homes of
the 1970's. Her designs were and still are inspired by the movement of the sun
and the heat and light that it emits. Sun-Inspired Home Plans has now been shortened
to Sun Plans, but the design principles remain the same: