Nesmith Library

The solar house, passive heating and cooling, Daniel D. Chiras

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

The solar house

bibliography

Daniel D. Chiras

passive heating and cooling

While heat from sunlight and ventilation from breezes is free for the taking, few modern architects or builders really understand the principles involved. Yet "natural conditioning"--Heating and cooling with passive solar techniques -- is a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Acknowledging the good intentions of misguided solar designers in the past, the author highlights certain egregious errors and shows how to avoid them. The author shows how to select a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly backup heating system; how to preserve indoor air quality in an airtight, energy-efficient home; and ways of employing green building materials in a naturally conditioned home

Introduction : achieving comfort in any climate -- Fundamentals of integrated passive design -- Energy-efficient design and construction -- Passive solar heating : region-specific design -- Supplying back-up heat sustainably -- Passive solar heating : region-specific design -- Supplying back-up heat sustainably -- Passive cooling: region-specific design -- Health matters : optimum air quality in passively conditioned homes -- Designing a passively conditioned home and assessing its performance -- Going solar? Why not go all the way? -- Appendix : mean percentage of possible sunshine