Solar House
Solar House Plans – The New Wave Of Our Future
Executive Summary about Solar House by Ernest Jarquio
Environmentalists rejoice! What is this new technology that will help save the earth? Why, solar house plans of course.
What Are Solar House Plans?
Well, the new phase in home planning is the plan for a sun-powered home.
Environmentally-Friendly Materials
The designer begins by drawing out the floor plan, planing to use recycled materials, eco-friendly building supplies and Energy-Star electrical outlets. For instance, the concrete slab flooring stores solar heat during the sunny days, then releases it at night, keeping the house warm.
Insulation
The designer uses only eco-friendly items for these tasks, such as recycled wood and green material for the insulation. After all this is planned, they continue onward to Energy-Star appliances and other electronic devices.
Solar Panels
The other panels installed are the thermal water heaters, which provide hot water constantly for the entire home. This hot water is often more reliable than a traditional hot water heater, supplying plenty of heat for the laundry, kitchen and bath.
How to Plan Your House for the Sun
Executive Summary about Solar House by Naomi Kendell
Every house will gain heat throughout the day as the sun shines through its windows.
And during the night as the temperature drops, this same house will lose heat to the outside through its walls, windows and roof.
1. Orientation.
By facing your house to the south (in the northern hemisphere) you will gain the rays of the winter sun. Afternoon sun comes from the west, so rooms like the dining room and living room can be placed on this orientation. The southwest corner of the house will be the sunniest – winter and afternoon sun.
On the northern side of your house, place service rooms.
2. Window Sizing
Out of all the materials your house is made of, windows lose the most heat. There is a balance here, because windows allow sunlight into your house. However even triple glazed glass allows more heat to escape than a well insulated wall.
The first is where your windows face. If you have most of your windows on the northern side, these windows will not get much sun during winter. They will be losing heat, but not gaining solar energy.
There is an optimal ratio of windows:wall for every climate. For instance in temperate climates, a window to wall ration could be: 30% window area to 70% wall area. The other ratio is in windows and orientation.
3. Materials
For instance, highly insulated walls will keep the heat inside your house. When analyzing your heat loss through your windows, you can gain some leeway through insulation. This air forms and insulating layer, slowing down heat loss.
Another way to use materials in your solar house plan is to take advantage of heat storage. It is radiating heat. The floor is insulated underneath to prevent heat loss. A well designed thermal heat sink will stay warm all night long.
4. Shading
Shading is an important part of the solar house plan. This is important not only for heat gains, but for preventing heat gains. In temperate climates as well, shading can be used to keep summer sun out and let winter sun in.
Using our orientation principle: your house is facing south. During the winter the sun angles low and reaches far into the house. This same shading will allow winter sun into your house.
Your latitude effects the angle of the winter sun. In conclusion – solar house plans are a great way to design houses that are warm and comfortable to live in, and save you money off your heating and air conditioning bill.
Using Orientation, Window Placement, Materials and Shading, you can design a house that responds to its environment and creates its own micro-climate of comfort.
Article You May Be Interested In Reading: Charger Solar
