| The position a home is one of the main keys to | | | | where there is no mechanical cooling system. The |
| building an energy efficient passive solar home. | | | | trade off for a view may not be the best choice |
| The position is different depending on where the | | | | if the temperature inside becomes unbearable. |
| home is located in the world. In Arizona 13 | | | | The glazing should be enough to allow the winter |
| degrees east of magnetic south is the perfect | | | | sun in for radiant and thermal heat but not so |
| position. At high noon in the summer months the | | | | much that the summer months are scorching. |
| sun is at the southwest corner of the home. The | | | | Room and window position should also be taken |
| winter months when the sun is low in the sky, | | | | into consideration. Rooms that need to stay |
| the south windows absorb sun for radiant heat. | | | | cooler such as the kitchen should be placed on the |
| There are some very good books on the market | | | | north side of the home. Rooms that need to be |
| with charts that will help with the positioning. | | | | warmed first by the morning sun should be on |
| Know the land in all seasons before building. Learn | | | | the south side such as a bedroom. Depending on |
| the directions of prevailing winds in winter and | | | | the design of the home clerestory windows can |
| summer months. If wind scoops, vents or tunnels | | | | be placed so that rooms on the north of the |
| are used for cooling, knowledge of the wind | | | | home receive sun for light and heat. These |
| direction is crucial. If there are any trees, be sure | | | | windows can be stationary or opening windows. |
| that they are at least 20 feet from the south | | | | Many times they are made stationary due to |
| side of the home. Know whether they are | | | | leakage problems. Skylights may also be used for |
| deciduous (loose their leaves in winter) or | | | | natural light. Be sure they are not placed near a |
| evergreen trees. The sun needs to be able to | | | | ceiling fan unless a strobe light effect is desired. |
| reach the windows in winter. Trees can also direct | | | | The walls of some passive solar homes do not go |
| air flow to or away from the home. They can | | | | to the ceiling. The advantage of this design is |
| also be used to gradually cool down the area | | | | passages are not blocked and warm air can easily |
| outside the home. Gradual cooling helps the feeling | | | | pass through the home. Vents placed low on one |
| of a cooler home. Temperature is not the | | | | side of the home and high on the opposite side |
| measure of how warm or how cold we feel. It is | | | | may help bring in cool air pushing hot air up and |
| the instant change from hot to cold or cold to hot | | | | out in summer. One of the disadvantages is loss |
| that makes us feel the change. It is like getting | | | | of privacy if the home is relatively small. The |
| out of an air conditioned car as opposed to a car | | | | other disadvantage is a room that needed to be |
| with the windows rolled down. The outside | | | | enclosed to retain heat. |
| temperature is the same but the transition is | | | | Keep in mind that a gain in one area may mean a |
| quicker so we feel warmer. | | | | loss in another. For example: a dry arid climate |
| Learn which way the water flows off the land. | | | | where the summer temperatures reach above |
| Check erosion or gullies to see what has already | | | | 100 degrees and the winters are in the teens at |
| happened on the land. Go to the land during or | | | | night. Cooling in the summer may be more of an |
| after a rainfall. Observe which way the water | | | | issue than heating in the winter. A passive solar |
| flows or pools. Do not build in a low spot as | | | | home can achieve about 20 degrees below |
| flooding or standing water after a rainfall may | | | | ambient temperature with no mechanical devices |
| become an issue. Adobe homes may be in danger | | | | to assist during the summer. This can be done by |
| of erosion and straw bale can mold if the | | | | opening up vents during the night cooling down |
| foundation is not high enough. | | | | the walls and completely closing up the home |
| Window placement is a trade off. Basically no or | | | | during the day. With air circulation from ceiling |
| very small windows on the east or west side of | | | | fans, the temperatures are tolerable. This is more |
| the home. Sometimes this is not possible if there | | | | true with off grid passive solar, but the whole |
| is a view that just must be seen from inside the | | | | point is energy savings no matter if the home is |
| home. Be very careful in an off grid application | | | | on or off grid. |