A passive-solar design involves a technique of building and designing a home that uses the rays of the sun to your benefit. While there is a worldwide trend going on at the moment that uses solar panels and solar energy to produce energy for more businesses and family homes, we think there is going to be a shift when it comes to using solar in other innovative ways. Should you need more information about designing a solar passive and sustainable home, get in touch with Coast Homes.
– Consider The Orientation Of The Site
If you have the option, select a site with the correct orientation. This might not be an option for you when you have chosen a block that you are going to construct due to its outlook, but if you are planning to design a “green home”, your site is going to be very important. North-facing outlooks are often beneficial.
Observe the path of the sun on potential land so you can understand how the rays of the sun are going to affect the home in both winter and summer. The sun will be higher over the summer months and lower over the winter months, which can assist when it comes to using its benefits.
It is also worth your while to find out about the wind factor linked to that area. If you are building your home close to the coast, you should find out about the likelihood of a coastal breeze at the property. Installing a solar panel with Powerlec gives you energy saving benefits that fits your lifestyle.
– Position The Building Correctly
If the area is allowing for it, make sure the long axis of the building faces north. This will allow the windows to make the most of the sunlight during the months of winter, while large eaves will stop the sun in the summer from shining through. This is also the right way to use different heights of the sun to your benefit.
– Position Rooms Inside The Home
Rooms that you use during daylight hours, such as the living room, are best positioned on the north side of your building since this side benefits most from “passive solar heat”. Bedrooms and any other room that you use mostly at night should be on the south side of the house since the sun will not be impacting your home during this time.
– Strategically Position Your Windows
Think about the placement of your windows. While a north-facing home might help, other factors such as nearby buildings or trees interfere with the way sunlight enters the property. Double-glazed windows are a good option to insulate the home since the windows in a house are one of the largest culprits when it comes to heat loss in homes.
– Utilize Shade To Cool The Home
Building standards have undergone improvements over the last few years when it comes to energy efficiency. There are also options to consider to enhance the energy use in your home. One option includes planting deciduous trees that will shelter the building during the summer months and allow light through during winter. This will have a dramatic impact when it comes to maintaining a more even temperature in your home.
– Ventilate The Building
When designing your home with energy efficiency in mind, especially when it comes to passive solar, one thing many people tend to do is neglect ventilation. Without the right ventilation, the air in the home can become stale which can lead to mold growth and respiratory problems. This is when our range of solar ventilators becomes beneficial since they use the sun to dehumidify and ventilate the air in your home while also keeping the temperature constant.
There are several factors to keep in mind when you design a building that matches up to your needs and that it is functioning how you will need it. You also need to consider aesthetics and energy efficiency. Each family has different needs, while each location will come with its own pros and cons.
