Reviewed and Revised on 11/19/2013
A passive solar heating system uses “building components to collect, store, and distribute solar heat gains to reduce the demand for space heating” (NIBS, 2012). It reduces the load on the home heating systems and could even possibly eliminate their need to be installed in the first place, by letting the home to get heated by the natural means.
The amount of passive solar heating possible (sometimes called the passive solar savings fraction) depends on …
Reviewed and Revised on 10/25/2013
Designing for the Climate
In warm climate regions such as the Gulf where temperatures are high year round, designing for the climate means designing to reduce heat gain is the first priority. Orientation (direction a home faces) and careful planning of available home space are “free” ways available at the designing stage of new homes which can help to cut energy costs upfront and make a home comfortable and highly functional.
Image of seasonal sun
Reviewed and Revised on 11/15/2013
