| In the development of solar homes, scientific | | | | thermal inertia is not a new one: There are |
| experimentation has proven that solid wood is the | | | | houses dating back to the 1300s that have been |
| most efficient structural material. The wooden | | | | designed with the applications of similar |
| framework of a solar home is commonly referred | | | | constructional theories. We have, through the |
| to as an envelope. In the most basic sense, the | | | | profound invention of fuel-heating power and |
| home consists of an inner structure enveloped by | | | | electricity, actually been almost counterproductive |
| an outer structure of the same shape, but slightly | | | | in our methods. |
| larger to allow for insulation and air flow. | | | | What scientists are doing now is actually taking |
| The envelope serves as an air flow and air access | | | | steps backward, in a sense, to move forward in |
| channel, which runs all around the structure, | | | | the fight for a safer, healthier planet. Studies have |
| creating a biosphere just inside the walls of the | | | | proven that it is illogical to use a drop of fuel or a |
| home. This miniature biosphere generates, | | | | single watt of energy for the purpose of heating |
| circulates and pumps geothermal energy from | | | | and cooling homes, when all we truly need is |
| beneath the home, and warm air from the sun | | | | provided by the earth itself. Now that we have |
| outside the home. Geothermal energy can be | | | | begun to utilize ways of harnessing this natural, |
| stored within the solid wood walls, and regulated | | | | geothermal energy, there is no point in hurting our |
| by the latest in solar home technology. | | | | planet via unnatural energy sources. |
| Thermal inertia regulates the natural temperature | | | | The system used for building a solar home is |
| benefits that can be derived in cycles between | | | | absolutely remarkable in its simplicity. Some |
| the night and day, and even throughout the | | | | familiar terms such as the heat-loss equation, |
| varied temperatures of all four seasons. The | | | | delta T factor, and natural/radiant heating are all |
| earth is our home and we can conserve our | | | | things of which you may have heard in science |
| natural resources while keeping our homes | | | | journals, magazines or any other kinds of texts |
| comfortable by switching to all-natural energy | | | | dealing with solar concepts. The system of building |
| sources like solar power. | | | | a solar home is the creation of a structure that is |
| The envelope-like structure acts as an air | | | | sound, dependable and acts as its own heat pump. |
| ventilation path as well as a dehumidification | | | | The architectural design of a solar home is |
| system for your solar-powered home. Because of | | | | extremely effective for both cooling during a |
| the amazing conservation qualities of wood, the | | | | summer day, and heating in the winter. For more |
| energy a solar home produces may even | | | | information, you can clarify any questions fairly |
| outweigh the amount of energy it requires to | | | | easily by checking the following cited sources such |
| effectively keep you safe and comfortable. Solid | | | | as Architectural Designs, solar homes by Enertia, |
| wood walls of solar homes built with this structural | | | | the National Institute of Standards and |
| building system have the amazing ability to retain, | | | | Technology, and Popular Science. |
| generate, and release heat. The concept of | | | | |