Solar Home Floor Plans
The recent concern for homes that are environmentally friendly and energy efficient has created a demand for solar home floor plans. The key word in most of these plans is "passive."
There are many reasons that people are taking an interest in solar home floor plans. The Green Movement has made people more aware than ever before of the individual responsibility of each consumer in the war against pollution. This might be considered the noble reason for seeking energy efficiency. The practical reason is the ever increasing cost of energy. Solar home floor plans appeal to both the noble and the practical aspirations of the potential home owner.
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The key word in most solar home floor plans is "passive." A passive solar home can be defined as one that takes advantage of the site and the free energy of the sun as an integral part of the home design. This contrasts with active solar designs where the sun light, by use of solar panels, is converted into actual energy. Many designs would incorporate both passive and active elements to create the best possible design.
There would be little sense in an active design that totally ignored the passive possibilities, but many homes go strictly passive in design because active solar energy is still a new and emerging technology. There are other elements of active solar design such as fuel cells and geothermal mass that can be used, but the major advantage of passive solar design is that it works with existing technology that is both highly developed and trusted by the consumer.
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Passive design includes such things as the proper placement of the home on the site. In the past the primary concern for home orientation was view and privacy, but now orientation to the sun, shade, and protection from wind is more important. The passive design will not have a great impact on the actual floor plan for the interior of the home. Most passive solar features impact exterior materials and windows. One exception is the desirability of more windows on the south side of the home. This would impact the floor plan orientation to some degree.
It is not likely that solar energy will prove to be a fad. The energy crisis is very real and the environmental movement is gaining adherents every day. The Government is encouraged solar energy and energy conservation by tax credits today. Tomorrow they might be mandating it by law. It behooves every one in the housing industry, from interior designer to builder, to be aware of all advances in solar energy. The designs might be passive, but the designers can not afford to be.