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Passive Solar Energy Is Cost Effective – In The Right Building
By Matt |
If you’re looking for a cost effective and ecologically sound way to heat a home, business or other building, look no further than passive solar energy.
While it can be expensive to add a passive solar system to an existing building, these systems generally pay for themselves over the long run. Not only are these systems efficient but can be attractive when installed as part of a remodeling project.
The most highly efficient passive solar systems simply use large windows. They let the light and heat in during the winter and can be shaded during the warmest months of the year. Generally, these windows are installed at an angle in order to allow in the largest possible amount of light. This light then heats a concrete floor, which then radiates this heat throughout the building.
In many cases, passive solar energy systems are installed as a building is constructed. However, it is also possible to add these systems to an existing structure when needed. Homes made from rammed earth which use long windows which run the length of the building are one example of structures with passive solar energy systems built in. Domes, cob houses and other styles of home are also easy to incorporate passive solar systems into as long as this is something which is thought of as the building is designed.
These types of homes are also well insulated, which makes a passive system an easy way to heat and cool them at a minimal cost. These kinds of designs can make better use of passive solar than can conventional homes, regardless of their design.
If you’re thinking of making the switch to solar energy, then you may want to consider making a much larger change to your lifestyle by deciding to live in a sustainable type of home which can make passive solar a cost effective way to heat the home.
Passive Solar Energy Books I Highly Recommend
Books I’ve read the last few years that I recommend:
Passive solar heating and passive cooling—approaches known as natural conditioning—provide comfort throughout the year by reducing, or eliminating, the need for fossil fuel. Yet while heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved.
Now Dan Chiras, author of the popular book “The Natural House,” brings those principles up to date for a new generation of solar enthusiasts.
Readers will learn:
- How to select a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly backup heating system.
- how to preserve indoor air quality in an airtight, energy-efficient home.
- ways of employing green building materials in a naturally conditioned home
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Topics: Solar Energy | 5 Comments »
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Thorough, concise, and up-to-date info for solar designs
234 of 235 people found the following review helpful:
Thorough, concise, and up-to-date info for solar designs, January 18, 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: The Solar House: Passive Heating and Cooling (Paperback)
I have spent a lot of time researching passive solar designs using books from the library & information on the internet. A lot of books on solar designs are from the 70′s & 80′s and the designs lead to overheating of homes by overglazing (too many windows). Some of the more current books on solar design gave more vague information, and didn’t thoroughly describe concepts and materials.
This book has it all! Very good information on all the design elements, such as direction of home, foundation designs, window ratios, as well as recommendations for particular products. The book had in-depth information on all the available heating systems including solar heating, heat pumps, & radiant floor heating. At the end of the description for each heating system, there was a pro/con list that talked about the energy effiency, cost, & performance of each heating system over others . There was a helpful chart on hot water heaters with payback periods for different fuels (solar, electric, gas, propane) so you could compare the costs associated with the fuel. In all of my research, this was the first such chart that really spelled out the benefits of certain fuels over others. The book was written in 2002, so it is very up-to-date with the most current products & concepts.
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
This book is excellent and received in great condition. Thank you. – jac
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Excellent passive solar book
An excellent passive solar publication that is very complementary to my own book: The Sun-Inspired House: house designs warmed and brightened by the sun. I knew that Dan Chiras had already published an excellent book with passive solar details so one of the goals of The Sun-Inspired House was to show numerous examples of passive solar homes while adding another way to look at passive solar.
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:00 pm
very helpful book
The Solar House presents a detailed overview of passive solar design with specific region-based recommendations. I found that the technical information was well-researched and presented in an accessible way. There is a very helpful section on backup heating systems, which provides a basis for comparing the many options such as conventional gas and oil fired fixtures, radiant floor, masonry stoves, etc. This book should help people to design homes that are very energy efficient and comfortable to live in- the best of both worlds.
June 24th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
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