Situating a house so as to optimize the suns energy for providing heat, is not a new idea. But, with new advances in technology, designing a home for optimum solar gain is easier that it ever has been. What are some of the ways houses can be designed and built that allow them to work with natural elements like the sun?
While a building is still in its design phase, computer models can display with accuracy how a home must be situated and designed so as to receive maximum solar gain, as well as seasonal thermal performance.
Though it is important that the structure of the home is correctly situated, it is also essential that the floor plan is positioned appropriately. For example, when it comes to the positioning of rooms like the living room and kitchen (rooms that are most lived in) these should be planned so that they benefit from not only the sun’s rays in the winter, but also enjoy shade in the summer. It’s good to take this into consideration also with the positioning of decks and patios.
Garages, laundry rooms and any areas of a house that are not used as much, don’t need to benefit from the suns heat and so should be designed to reflect this.
How can trees be used in the designing of a home? If they are planted in the right location, they can be used for providing needed shade in the summer months while at the same time not stopping needed sunlight in the winter months. This requires much thought as to the type of tree used, so that factors such as whether the tree with loose leaves in the winter are thought of.
We can see why making the most of natural energy is an important key in the design process
