In a future that is probably not terribly distant, when people discuss green home building it will be known simply as home building. Until that day arrives, however, those considering going green face the fact that there are precious few people from whom you can get some homespun advice. Passive solar power is a terrific option, but only if you are as informed as possible about all the factors involved.
Insulating Passive Solar Homes
The type of green home building expressly for the purpose of harnessing the power of the sun is typically going to be one of the most tightly insulated houses in the surrounding community. Any part of the home that sporting the potential for an air leak must be properly insulated. That means everything from fiberglass batts in the attic to caulk around the windows. Before you decide to get all the benefits of passive solar power, it is incumbent upon you to scrutinize literally every inch of your home in search of even the tiniest slivers that can become the site of air leaks.
A newly constructed home built for solar power will already feature this architectural necessity as part of its selling point. Green home building in pursuit of passive solar power may be upgrading to more energy efficient windows and doors to realize the full benefit. Keep in mind that the best you can buy is not necessarily always the same thing as the most expensive available. What you want to make sure of is that you have windows, doors and insulating materials of high quality that is appropriate for your climate.
Ventilating Passive Solar Homes
A properly insulated solar powered house is not quite pointless without equally adequate ventilation, but it won’t be nearly as efficient as it could be. The importance of matching quality insulation with ventilation is to ensure the circulation of fresh air and avoid the negative impacts on the quality of air that can be a by-product of heavy insulation. Superior ventilation will also reduce the strain placed upon passive solar energy to keep things cool during the hottest parts of summer. It is worth bearing in mind that one of the factors involved in passive solar homes is the potential for a reduction of fresh air in those houses that didn’t prepare fully for the best ventilation system possible.
Overheating in Direct Gain Solar Systems in Winter
Homes that utilize a direct gain system for solar power run the risk of becoming overheated when the weather turns cold. The direct gain system is the most affordable system for adding passive solar, therefore it should come as no surprise to find that it is also the most common. Direct gain systems position expansive windows to the south for increased efficiency in capturing the heating power of the sun. Come high noon–or, actually, the later afternoon hours–during the day’s temperature peak, direct gain systems do run the risk of overheating thanks to the huge surface area of those south-facing windows. A lack of adequate thermal storage mass in your windows can also cause overheating.
Bear in mind that you may read may read some reports that wildly overstate the potential for overheating. Simply do the math to figure out where the windows should be located to most efficiently capture radiant energy from the sun, paying careful attention to things like the ratio of sloped glass to air volume and making sure there are enough low and high vent windows.
These are all examples of the kinds of factor about green home building for passive solar energy that will one day be discussed between friends in the same way that factors like what type of brick to use or the value of adding a swimming pool are discussed today. The one thing you don’t want to do is discuss either the benefits or disadvantages of passive solar energy with anyone whose financial interests are threatened by green home building.
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