Friday, May 9, 2008

passive solar home with a dark shade of green

Update: 6/28/08 This 2,700 sqft passive solar home located in Massachusetts had a heating bill of $700 last winter.



So what do you think of passive solar design? I personally feel it should be of some, if not the primary focus of designing a home for efficient use of energy. The home described in the blog is one that has proven to me that passive solar design works and works well, when used in conjunction with super insulated envelope systems. Here is a list of systems, materials and designs which make this passive solar home work.

Pictures http://picasaweb.google.com/TomPittsley/PassiveSolarHome
http://www.eebt.org/Rochester.html

Orientation of the home for maximum solar gains in winter
Large amounts of high solar heat gain windows on the south facing wall
Overhangs designed to provide shading of the windows in the summer
Integrated window shading system to control the flow of heat through the south facing windows
Small and few well insulated windows on the north, east and west facades
Solar hot water system to be added this fall, all the pieces are in place to make the connections

Concrete slab floor with radiant floor heating system, located for maximum direct solar gains
Thermal mass was achieved with the Insulated concrete forms, used for the first floor and basement walls.
Structural insulated panels were used for the roof, dormers and gables R-49
Cold roof system was utilized for proper venting of the roof system and longevity
Energy recovery ventilation system for providing just the right amount of fresh air 82% efficient
Baxi on demand propane fired boiler for domestic hot water and heating 95% efficient


Some green materials that were used that did not directly have a relationship with how energy was used within the home, but rather home much energy was used and save by recycling building materials. All of the exposed yellow pine structural beams and posts of this home are recycled and re milled locally, from old mill structures scheduled for destruction. Not only the posts and beams, but all of the hardwood flooring and railings are also from this source. This is not an inexpensive alternative, but the incredible beauty and strength of old growth lumber is something you cannot find at the local lumber yard ( or the depot ). There are many more features of this home that contribute to it being a very green home, but I have been long winded enough.

Tom Pittsley
ecobuilder@aol.com
http://www.eebt.org/