Passive Solar Design

Would you like to heat your home without using environmentally damaging fossil fuels?

One of the best forms of sustainable building is passive solar design – using the heat of the sun to regulate your building’s temperature without using other energy sources. A thorough understanding of the sun’s movement and correct use of materials and are essential to capitalise on solar energy – at DJC we have this knowledge and expertise.

Levels of Passive Solar Design

There are 3 levels of passive solar design – direct, indirect, and isolated.
Direct passive solar design uses windows, shutters and other design features to capture a “short cycle” of solar energy. The Indirect level utilises the building’s structure to act as insulation (through whole walls, water tanks, earthed roofs etc) where a slow-release of heat capability makes greater use of the solar energy. Isolated solar design means capturing solar energy to slow-release it through the building, many techniques and structures (such as solar stoves and chimneys) have been designed to do this.

Planning is the key to Passive Solar Design

Passive solar design can be difficult to get right and it demands an intuitive, flexible approach to your building’s plan.
Consider location – over exposure to the sun, large windows and glass doors can make your house too hot during the day. Appraise of the site for factors, such as other buildings or trees, which may provide shade parts of the day. The shape of the building, as well as the environment surrounding it, is an important factors as well.
Look at the range of construction materials available. The walls of a building are referred to in solar design as thermal mass – the mass of material that absorbs and insulates – adobe walls, for instance, absorb solar energy well and release it slowly. The type and size of windows, as well as their location, should be very carefully considered.

Creating Sustainable Buildings

Finding an experienced architect or builder who has specific experience in this field is a crucial part of planning a sustainable-built construction. At DJC not only do we have knowledge and experience of building projects of this nature but we also have excellent working relationships with several specialist architects who have designed some of Northern Ireland’s most respected Passive Homes. To discuss your building project contact us now.

Posted - 16 Dec 2010