Passive solar potential of a conventional home. Final report

Technical Report · Sat Jan 31 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5844705

Waterman, E L

A conventional home not designed for passive solar heating was found to use an average of 61% less natural gas for space heating when compared to four similarly used control homes of identical design during the 1979-1980 heating season in Fort Collins, Colorado. The significant savings are attributed to: (1) passive solar gain through conventional windows; (2) optimum orientation of the home placing windows and doors away from prevailing winds; (3) the use of low-cost insulating window shutters; (4) conventional winterization; and (5) energy-conscious life-styles of the occupants. The payback period for the minor investment made by the owners of the demonstration home was estimated to be approximately two years. The results demonstrate that passive solar has a much greater potential in a conventional home than is currently believed and suggest that all future homes be oriented and constructed for maximum solar exposure.

• Research Organization: Waterman (Edward L.), Fort Collins, CO (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG48-79R800433
• OSTI ID: 5844705
• Report Number(s): DOE/R8/00433-T1; ON: DE85011344
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
ARCHITECTURE
BUILDINGS
COST
COVERINGS
DEGREE DAYS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
GLAZING
HEATING SYSTEMS
HOUSES
ORIENTATION
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SHUTTERS
SOLAR ARCHITECTURE
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
THERMAL INSULATION
WEATHERIZATION