| All homes should be built with solar in mind. It | | | | line is accurate and easy to create using the string |
| could add to the beauty of a home, such as the | | | | theory. |
| early morning sun at a breakfast nook. Solar | | | | Let The Sun Shine In- Tree and bush placement |
| energy could also be a factor in beating up the | | | | should be considered. Warm or tropical climates |
| home over time. | | | | would benefit by planting to block out the mid-day |
| Using passive solar design in your home today | | | | sun. However colder climates should plant in order |
| brings many benefits beyond comfort. | | | | to take full advantage of solar warmth, especially |
| Incorporating solar design will also lower your utility | | | | in the dead of winter. Keep in mind that trees do |
| bills, which in the long run would use less energy | | | | loose there leaves in the winter time in most |
| and ultimately decrease pollution. | | | | climates. |
| The guidelines mentioned below are just a starting | | | | Windows On South Wall- Research has shown |
| point. Many other changes can and should be | | | | that the windows on the south facing wall should |
| made to incorporate solar energy into your home. | | | | not exceed 7% of the homes total square |
| The guidelines that are mentioned have been | | | | footage. |
| drawn from research and practical application. | | | | (Example is 1,000 sq. ft. home = 70 sq. ft. of |
| Location and Position - The winter sun rises south | | | | glass.) To find the net sq. ft. of any particular |
| of east and sets south of west. With this in mind, | | | | window an equation is used that takes the trim or |
| the longest aspect or wall of the home should be | | | | molding into consideration. Windows square feet X |
| facing south. This side should have the most | | | | .8 = net sq. ft. |
| windows also in order to take advantage of the | | | | Example 5 foot X 4 foot window = 20 sq. ft. X |
| solar energy. In order to find True South do not | | | | 0.8 = 16 net sq. feet |
| use a compass. Instead wait until solar noon or | | | | Using the above equation for the following: East |
| straight up in the sky. Imagine hooking a string to | | | | and North wall is not to exceed 4% net sq. ft. of |
| the sun. When it is hanging straight down then it | | | | window and West side should not exceed 2% |
| will be solar noon. It is important to mention that | | | | maximum. |
| this will not occur at 12 noon on a clock. There | | | | Electric Fans- A great way of saving electricity in |
| are reasons for this but for brevity we will move | | | | the summer is by using overhead fans. This would |
| on. | | | | drastically save the time the air conditioner is on. |
| At the exact moment of solar noon, a vertical | | | | Another way of saving big time on your electric |
| pole in the ground will cast a shadow that is | | | | bill is to install solar panels. |
| precisely balanced along the north/south line. This | | | | |