Passive Solar Heating

During the winter months, the Eastport Renewable Energy home makes use of passive solar design to provide solar space heating much as a greenhouse does. The home has been sited with its largest side facing due solar south. Many of the home’s fifty-eight (58) large windows, plus 4 electronically operated skylights, with low-E argon filled glass are concentrated on this south elevation. The low angle of the winter sun means that its rays can angle through these south facing windows to heat the interior of the home.

The passive solar effect is aided by large roof overhangs. When the sun is at a high angle during the summer months, it is blocked by the roof overhangs on this south face, and in combination with window shades, heat is blocked from the homes interior. Consequently, comparatively few windows are located on the north side of the home, to reduce heating loss. Much of the south side’s heating load on sunny winter days is through passive solar means.

Natural Light

The large concentration of windows on the homes south side have an added benefit of reducing the lighting load due to the infiltration of natural light. In fact, with the open floor plan on the first floor, and the large, multiple windows in each room on the second floor, all living areas receive enough natural light on even the cloudiest of days to make the use of lighting fixtures unnecessary. Only interior spaces (2 small baths) and the basement are the exception.

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