passive solar house presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Why Build?
● Costs – We wanted to lower our costs looking ahead to retirement and where we lived in town we would only see an increase in our costs (property tax, oil, water/sewer etc.).
● Sustainable – we wanted a low maintenance option for housing. Something we could afford on a low income retirement.
Goals
● No oil or propane, and lower electricity usage.
● Lower energy costs overall.
● Low maintenance for long-term
● Good solid, affordable house to retire in.
Particulars
● 1218 square feet● 3 beds and 1 bath● Electric hot water for
showers ● Back up wood stove● No traditional stove,
no dishwasher, no dryer.
● Mechanical:– HRV or heat recovery
ventilation system. Required by law in new home construction.
● Normal Electricity & Plumbing
Energy Costs of New vs old House
Solar House● Passive solar 'free'
heat from the sun● Earth-berm 'free'
heat/cooling from the earth.
● Wood stove 2 cords for this winter. $400
● Electricity $80/mth● Total $1,360
Old House● Oil $2,400/year● Wood 4-6 cords/year● Electricity $70/mth● Total $4,240/year
● Total savings $2,880/yr
Unexpected Savings
● Property Tax was reduced 1/3 city/rural difference.
● House insurance discount for non-oil heating, even with back up wood.
● Upfront well/septic but long-term cheaper than city.
Passive Solar vs Active Solar
● Passive solar uses no mechanical devices or equipment to capture the sun for 'free' energy.
● South facing windows, heat capture i.e. Concrete or clay pots, soil, water
● Active solar is usually tied to plumbing i.e. Tubes or electrical i.e solar panels.
● South facing and then using either evacuated tubes/pipes or solar cells capturing sun's energy.
What can I do? With an existing house
● Insulate your house well...get an energy audit to show where you need it the most or just take a candle around to see where the wind is coming in to plug your air leaks.
● They call it a 'sealed envelope' and it is very, very important to keep your heat in.
Next South Side
● Where is south in your house?
● Do you have windows?
● Can you add windows? If not, how about a solar air heater?
● Does the roof slant to the south?
Materials used
● What is on your floor? Concrete or clay is best – you loose 75% solar with carpet...tile is better.
● What is on the wall? Do you have any masonry? etc
Adding Thermal Mass
● Translation adding 'things' to 'hold heat' from the free sun coming in your windows on the south side.
● Clay pots, earth, water, metal that is black all will attract sun and then release the solar heat back when the sun goes down.
Keep the heat in
● Once you capture the 'free' solar heat you want to keep it inside to heat your house.
● Airlocks – add a small porch or wind break to help keep your heat in.
● Curtains or window covering to keep your heat in after the sun goes down. Lined curtains are the best.
Sun offers 'FREE' Heat
● It our job to use what is given to us and not waste the energy....we pay enough for everything else!!!
www.simplifyandsave.ca
Thank you.