Passive Solar Techniques

Passive solar techniques used include:

1. Exterior bearing walls are constructed of 6” wood studs compared to more conventional 4” wood studs. The wall cavity is filled with Icynene®, a water-based. highly efficient foam insulation and sealing system that contains no formaldehyde, CFCs or HCFCs.

2. Eaves overhang all walls and glazing of the structure. Eaves are more extensive on the south façade, less extensive on the east and west where microclimate tree canopy effects take over early and late.

3. Roofed porches and screened porches shade the house and glazing on portions of the south, east and west walls.

4. Solar “eyebrows” shade south facing glass at the Living Room. Interior light shelves bounce light into the interior reducing light fixture dependency.

5. Interior roller solar shades screen east-, west- and south-facing glass where not protected by eaves, eyebrows or porch roofs.

6. Operable windows provide cross ventilation and, via remotely operated clerestory windows, create a stack effect thus allowing the occupants to enjoy the benefits of their mid spring/fall climate while reducing reliance on cooling systems.

7. Basement exterior walls are insulated and are not vented.

8. Significantly lower heating and cooling loads resulting from passive design reduce hvac airflow in the home thus reducing drafts and excessive temperature and humidity fluctuations.

9. New deciduous plantings will assist in shading the house in summer and allow sun to penetrate in winter.

10. Recognition in the formal design of the house of the site microclimate and morning/afternoon shading provided by the existing tree canopy.

11. High efficiency glazing - SHGC of 0.36 and winter/summer “u” value of 0.24/0.21

12. The design of the home results in significantly lower heating and cooling loads which reduce hvac airflow in the home and thus reduce drafts, excessive temperature and humidity fluctuations.