Cost savings by application of passive solar heating

Abstract

Purpose

Implementation of the concept of passive solar heating design in dwellings has the potential to reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions at little or no cost to the developer but with real benefit to the occupier. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possible benefits to be gained by the application of passive solar heating concepts to the orientation and fenestration of domestic buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach used has been to select a simple domestic building designed to current building regulations and apply to it modifications which embody the principles of passive solar heating design. The anticipated performance of the modified building has then been compared with that of its counterpart of conventional configuration by application of a number of currently available simulation models. This study forms part of the Department of Trade and Industry sponsored Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Coventry University and Kenneth Holmes Associates, Chartered Architects.

Findings

It is predicted that by careful selection of orientation of a domestic building and modification of its layout, in order that glazing is strategically located, it is possible to effect significant improvements in energy consumption. There is some variation in the output of the alternative techniques but they present a common overall result.

Research implications/limitations

The solutions are purely predictive and it would be of great value if the outcomes could be evaluated by medium term measurement of the performance of dwellings constructed to the proposed design principles.

Practical implications

The concept under analysis could, at little or no cost, result in reduced energy demand in domestic buildings. In the current environmental climate, even modest improvements should be of considerable interest to designers and developers.

Originality/value

Draws upon alternative approaches to passive solar heating design in dwellings and reaches conclusions based on the application of these different approaches to a real live case study.

Citation

Spanos, I., Simons, M. and Holmes, K.L. (2005), "Cost savings by application of passive solar heating", Structural Survey, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 111-130. https://doi.org/10.1108/02630800510593684