Description

This factsheet provides an overview of high-performance passive solar design for new homes. The emphasis is on practical, compact and comfortable designs that are easy to build, use and maintain.

Passive solar buildings are designed to keep occupants at a comfortable temperature using the home’s physical structure and site conditions alone.

They require little or no purchased energy for heating, cooling and ventilation.

Scope

In this Fact Sheet:

• The requirements
• What is passive solar design?
• Building site and building placement
• Building layout
• Insulation
  
  • Roof
  • Walls
  • Floor
  • Windows
• Glazing
• Shading
• Thermal mass
• Ventilation
• Smart active cooling
• Sites with poor solar access
• Supporting information
• Glossary of terms