| 1. Orientate: | | | | windows on opposite sides of the house to let |
| Whats the famous real estate quote, "location, | | | | cool evening breezes through the house instead |
| location, location" well for passive ( facing a | | | | of using your AC as much. |
| window to the south to maximize the sun) or non | | | | 3. Shading: |
| passive solar energy (ex. solar panels) it's all about | | | | You can position tree's and plants to direct a |
| "orientation, orientation, orientation". If your going | | | | cooling breeze into your home and providing |
| the passive route you want you want to | | | | shade in the sumer and letting the sunlight through |
| orientate your living areas to the south side of | | | | in the winter when the tree's leaves begin to fall. |
| your house. The south side recieves the most | | | | All external structures should be wide enough to |
| sunlight through out the day ( unless you live in | | | | block out the summer sun, while still allowing the |
| the southern hemisphere, if so then orientate to | | | | low winter sun to enter. Finding the right tree's |
| the north). Solar panels for this same principal | | | | and or plants for your climate is recommended |
| should always face south. | | | | and can be found by calling your local tree nursery |
| 2. Insulation and ventilation: | | | | or google. |
| This is very important and often neglected, this | | | | 4. Thermal collector: |
| can save you alot of power which equals money. | | | | Tile, slate and polished concrete all absorb heat |
| When insulating a house the more the better don't | | | | and slowly release it overtime. Carpets will not |
| leave any gaps in the walls or ceilings. This will hold | | | | retain heat at all. Brick walls also retain heat better |
| the hot or cold air in the house (depending on the | | | | however depending on where you live it may or |
| season) and also better sound proof it inside and | | | | may not be practical. |
| out. For ventilation purposes place doors and or | | | | |