Passive solar home design is a technique of constructing homes in such a manner that it can absorb the sun’s heat in order to for heating, lighting and cooling.
As compared with the active solar systems in which some mechanical devices are incorporated into the building, passive solar design depends on the building structure and materials to collect, accumulate and distribute heat energy.
Through this approach of energy efficient solutions, one is not only saving energy, but at the same time providing comfortable housing units and their living environment.
Welcome to my blog where I will be discussing passive solar design and how it works, some advantages of using passive solar design, and how you as a homeowner can incorporate it into your own home.
This article explains the principles of passive solar design
Orientation
For controlling the solar heat gain, one of the vital factors that has to be taken into consideration is the orientation of the structure. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is favorable to have the longer wall of the house aligned with the south.
This enables the building to capture the maximum amount of sunlight during the winter season which has low-sitting sun. Proper orientation makes it possible to reduce the requirements for artificial heating and lighting.
Thermal Mass
Thermal mass is therefore materials with the capability of storing heat for a long period and releasing this heat later. Minerals such as concrete, bricks, and stone are some of the most known materials that have high thermal mass.
In a passive solar home, such materials are used to absorb heat in the day and release it at night thus regulating the interior temperatures of the house.
Insulation
Isolation is critical in order to avoid heat transfer from the inside to the external environment.
Habitable structures should be insulated on walls, roofs, and floors to reduce the likelihood of heating or cooling requirements. This has to do with the combined effort of insulation and thermal mass in a house.
Windows and Glazing
Windows take an essential place in passive solar design strategy. Probably, zone to the south all the huge windows since they trap the sun, and on the north, zone the area with less window since they lose heat and trap the wrong sun.
Thermal insulated units with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings, with either the use of double glazing or even triple glazing is highly advised..
Natural Ventilation
Fresh flow of air is vital during summer hence the need to allow air to circulate through a house.
Other design characteristics like windows, vents and localized openings and louvers enhance cross ventilation, hence minimizing the use of air conditioning.
Shading
Overhangs, awning and pergolas are designed to control the warm and bright summer sun while at the same time allowing the warm, bright light of winter to penetrate.
When it comes to shading design, it is possible to minimize the issues of overheating and glare and, at the same time, maximize indoor comfort.
Advantages of passive solar home design
Energy Efficiency
Thus, passive solar homes require very little environmental conditioning by means of artificial heating and cooling systems.
With sunlight, and the incorporation of this natural resource within the household, energy costs are greatly reduced, and impact on the environment is minimized.
Comfort
The recordings reveal that the texture and design of building constructions, especially the utilization of thermal mass and natural ventilation, contribute to the moderation of internal temperature and comfortable climatic conditions for the occupants without any mechanical help all round the year.
Well designed passive solar homes are warmer in winter and cooler in summer, simply due to their design.
Environmental Sustainability
Because of their reliance on renewable energy in their architecture, passive solar homes ensure environmental sustainability.
There is a wise-saying that if one wants to avoid heat or cold, then he or she should avoid fire and ice respectively; and since fossil fuels produce heat to generate the hot weather and ice to produce the cold one, therefore, if one wants to avoid greenhouse gases, then one should minimize the use of fossil energy for heating or cooling.
Cost Savings
While it may cost more to build a passive solar home, the cost of energy bills is reduced hence making it better in the long run.
Furthermore, passive solar design is an investment – it raises the value of a property thus is a financially sound decision.
That is why it helps simply integrate Passive Solar Design into your home
Site Selection and Orientation
While choosing the site for your home it is important that the site is well illuminated by sun and the direction of the sun and other factors.
Select the site with a view towards the south to obtain direct sunlight for heat let-in. If the home is to be renovated, consult the orientation of the home and make changes that will enhance its access to the sun.
Design and Layout
Seek services from an architect or a designer with adequate knowledge on passive solar concepts. The location, type and arrangement of the windows and shades, as well as the requirement for both mass and ventilation should be incorporated in the design and layout of the house.
Some layout suggestions that can help improve on the idea of passive solar designs include more usable open space and placement of rooms properly in a house.
Materials and Construction
Select the materials with high thermal mass for the walls and especially the internal surface such as floors in the rooms which have direct exposure to the sun.
Discuss how the use of eco-friendly materials, for instance recycled or locally produced ones, can be incorporated in further lessening the effects of your home on the environment. Therefore, make sure that your home is properly insulated to enhance energy conservation.
Windows and Glazing
Select new windows of good quality and use the right glass for your region to make them energy efficient.
Windows which are situated in the south direction should have a high SHGC for optimum solar heat gain is desirable while other sides should have lower SHGC because heat loss through the windows is undesirable.
For controlling the light and sound and minimizing the glare factor, shade devices should be incorporated.
Natural Ventilation and Shading
Design operable windows, vents, and/or clerestories to allow for natural ventilation within the created spaces.
Shading devices include horizontal projections from windows, verandahs, balconies, and blinds, and projections like roofs, eaves, canopies, and trees to minimize the entry of direct sunlight into the building especially during the summer seasons.
Again, deciduous trees give shade during the summer season while they let in the light during the cold season.
Energy-Efficient Systems
A clad with energy Efficient systems and appliances when using passive solar design strategies. Utilize efficient type of lighting, heating and cooling and other appliances to go a notch higher in minimizing the energy used at home.
However, it is suggested that there is a need to find other sources of energy that can be integrated with the passive solar designs such as the solar panels.
Conclusion
Passive solar home design represents an effective and environmentally friendly way of constructing homes and people’s ways of dwelling.
Homes that can be powered by the sun’s heat and light are called passive solar homes and some of the advantages of passive solar homes include energy efficiency, comfort, environmental friendly and cheap to build among others.
The use of passive solar elements is smart no matter whether a person is constructing a new home or thinking about repaying their house; therefore, tips and ideas on how to design living space that synchronizes with nature and supports well-being can be rather useful.
However, with some ingenious layout and orientation of such housing one can reap many benefits of passive solar living and at the same time help in moving to a sustainable future.
