Using the Power of the Sun

We tried to use the power of natural lighting and take advantage of sun-power wherever possible. In addition to the therapeutic gains from natural lighting already mentioned – “Attacking SAD With Lights On” – we worked to take full advantage of the sun’s energy.

Passive Heating
We re-oriented the footprint of the house to align the aspect so as to “manage” the sun. The orientation means that the largest “face” of the house is oriented toward the sun. The extra wide overhangs will serve to block the hot afternoon summer sun when it sits at a high summer angle but will let the light in during winter months when it rides a lower angle. Even though we have high-efficiency thermal windows, the natural sun that penetrates in the winter will help warm floors and other surfaces.

Solar Water Heating
Traditional Hot Water Heaters are Full-time Energy WastersThe traditional 30- or 50-gallon hot water heater is always on. Whether you need hot water only for your morning shower or even when you head to the beach for a week and don’t need any at all … your hot water heater is steadfast about its task of heating and re-heating that water should you ask for it. It’s that full-time 24/7 heating that accounts for one of the most easily identified sources of wasted energy and added cost in the average home. We knew we could do better.

We added a 50-gallon passive solar panel on the roof (www.solarcart.com). Water “pre-heated” by the solar system will then go directly to a whole house “on-demand” water heater manufactured by Eemax, Inc.(www.eemax.com) Doing away with the traditional hot water heater means that we’ll only use electricity to heat water when we need it, not 24 hours/day, as is true with traditional systems. Additionally, the pre-heated water coming from the solar system means that the on-demand unit will have limited work to do to bring the water to the desired temperature.