ErinEarth has a passive solar (or solar passive) energy efficient home. This means that the house uses simple design features that are passive, do not require mechanical (electricity), to maintain thermal comfort in the house.
The house demonstrates that you can have a house that looks like many others in the neighbourhood and still be energy efficient and sustainable.
The features that make it a passive solar or sustainable house include:
1. Orientation of main living areas on the northern side of house.
This mean the long axis of the house is east - west axis. This maximise exposure to winter sun and minimise or exclude summer sun.
2. Features for passive heating
- Large windows facing north allow winter sun to enter house and passively warm the interior.
- Thermal mass – tiles on northern side of concrete floor and double brick wall up centre of house
3. Features to reduce heat loss in winter or heat gain in summer
- Smaller double glazed windows on the south.
- Full length heavy curtains reduce heat loss
- Wooden pelmets reduce draughts and heat loss
- Wooden window frames reduce heat conduction
- Excellent insulation,
- Sealing gaps around doorways and windows
- Shade on west and east – canvas, shade cloth and deciduous trees
4. Features for passive cooling
- Breezeways promote air movement in summer.
- Double hung windows allow air currents
- Cool cupboard to keep vegetables cool reducing need for refrigeration
- Fans
5. Energy efficient appliances
- Single natural gas space heater
- Gas boosted solar hot water
- Evaporative cooling
6. Energy self sufficient
- photovoltaic cells
Back to the Focus 1, Gazebo, forward to Waterwise Gardens.
For more information see http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html