Solar Passive Homes
With increasing costs of energy and electricity, homeowners are increasingly on the lookout for ways to save on heating and cooling costs. Although one approach to this is to use more efficient appliances and better manage electricity or gas use, it also often means looking into passive or active solar systems.
Perhaps the most obvious passive solar approach is to effectively use or block the sun. In warmer climates, blocking the sun is vital. Using energy efficient windows (ones that lessen direct and radiative heat transfer), installing blinds or drapes to reflect sunligh,t and planting deciduous trees on the southern side of the home, all help keep solar energy outside the home. In northern climates and in winter, the use of deciduous trees becomes equally important. While leaves blocked the sun during summer, the bare branches allow the sunlight through in winter to warm your home.
If you need to replace windows due to age or other factors, you should look to “meteorologically correct windows.” These tend to be double or triple glazed (one or more air layers sandwiched between glass panes) to lessen conduction and have reflective coatings. Reflective coatings are primarily needed for southern facing windows.
But, if your windows are still OK, then give some thought to putting some reflective material on them. It will also offer privacy while still allowing you to look out, almost as though there was not reflective material present.
If your home's exterior needs painting (or can be painted), and you live in a warmer climate, consider using lighter paint colors. These reflect sunlight. In colder places, darker colors allow for absorption of sunlight.
The same reflection / absorption scenario fits floor coverings (tiles, carpets, floors and rugs) and to roof tiles and/or shingles.
If you have a backyard pool and don’t have a solar water heater system, consider using a solar pool cover. This won’t make your pool warm and toasty, but it can help take out the chill and add weeks to your summer pool season.
Although not strictly a passive solar approach, consider what happens when the sun heats your attic. Without more exhaust than a ridge roof vent or a gable, heat easily builds up during the day. If attic insulation is too thin or non-existent (as we discovered over our garage a few years ago), the heat is easily transferred into the garage or home living space.
Employing some of the above principles will help reduce your energy costs, which not helps the environment, but makes your house more comfortable, and saves money!
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