Solar Home Design Manual for Cool Climates

Shawna Henderson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9781136530678
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Architecture
• Subtopic: Sustainability in Architecture

If you want an inexpensive, environmentally sound source of energy for your home, you need look no further than the sun. Solar heat is not subject to rate increases, is totally renewable, pollution free and requires little or no technology. It is here for you today, and can easily provide up to 50% of your space and water heating requirements. This is a book that simply and clearly explains the principles of using solar energy to heat your home. Anyone building a new home, or renovating an old one can incorporate one or several aspects of solar energy into their design.

Taking you through the process of designing a solar home from the ground up this manual is also a basic course in conservation and sustainable house design. If you live in a 'heating' climate, meaning if you have space heating requirements for most of the year then this is an invaluable resource.

A house is the biggest single investment most of us will make in our lives - the way it is built and how it operates can reflect a long term investment in both the building and the planet.

INDEX

Acadian post and beam house (Canada) 160–161

access roads 24, 25

acoustic considerations 25, 28, 52

active solar systems 3, 4

advanced framing 153

aesthetic considerations 25–26, 195

see also view

age factor 130

air barriers 115

air filtration 92, 93, 99, 111

air flow 2, 3, 52, 59, 71, 80, 114

and heating systems see forced-air heating systems

stratification effect 78, 92

air quality see indoor air quality

air recirculating systems 105, 106, 171

air-source heat pumps 93–94

airtight drywall approach 115

airtight houses 2, 74, 76, 79, 114–115

in case studies 161, 165

fireplaces in 105

government publications on 114

problems with 95, 99, 100

testing 114

ventilation in 100, 105, 114

air-to-air heat exchangers see HRVs

air-to-water heat pumps 94

allergies 99, 101

altitude, measuring 174

appliances see electrical appliances

artesian aquifers 187

attics 9, 49, 63

auxilliary heating systems 89–97, 165

controls for 93

criteria in choosing 90, 93

forced-air 92

fuel sources for 94, 95–96

and heat pumps 93–95

size of 90, 92

backdrafting 95, 103, 105

balance of system (BOS) 148

baseboard radiators 92–93

basements/cellars 9, 30, 49, 170

bathrooms

lighting in 129, 130

ventilation for 100, 102, 103

batteries 68, 145, 148, 149

st...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• SITE DESIGNING
• HOUSE DESIGN & PLANNING
• CONTROLLING CLIMATE
• AUXILIARY HEATING
• INDOOR AIR QUALITY
• THE BUILDING ENVELOPE
• OVERALL ENERGY REDUCTIONS
• SOLAR ADD-ONS
• MAKING IT HAPPEN
• CASE STUDIES
• APPENDIX
• INDEX