Affordable Passive Solar Home Plans
The Construction Technology Department of Appalachian State
University offers these free passive solar house plans. They are all
designed to be affordable in terms of construction costs and energy
bills. Some of the plans are converted from other sources, such as
Habitat for Humanity and the Northwest North Carolina Housing
Development Corporation; the remainder are original designs.
The passive solar
features include 6 to 11% of the floor area as south facing glazing,
2-foot overhangs, and slab on grade construction with incorporated
thermal mass. In addition, the main living areas are on the south
side of the home.
The plans are affordable
because they are simple designs that have even exterior dimensions
to reduce construction costs and waste. The plans are all between
900 and 1,300 square feet. In general, the design team increased
south-facing glazing areas and decreased glazing on the east, west
and north to hold down the cost of windows. The homes have simple
roof lines that can all be built with trusses.
These plans can be
adapted or mirrored to suit your site. Although they were
specifically designed for North Carolina's climate, you can use them
as a source for ideas about how to design your own passive solar
home anywhere. Have fun and be creative! Floor plans and full
working drawings are available for each of twelve different homes.
