Passive Solar Energy

All buildings can benefit from the warming rays of the sun. Using well-known passive solar design principles, new buildings can be designed to largely heat and cool themselves. Older buildings can be remodeled to more effectively take in solar radiation in the winter and reject it in the summer. The trick is to balance the six major design characteristics of the building for the climate; total window area, south facing window area, the degree of building insulation, window shading, the amount of fresh air exchanged with the outside, and the thermal mass of the building.

Click on one of the "Applying Passive Solar" links on the left to learn more about the application of passive solar energy to your home or business.

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