Affordable Passive Solar Home Plans

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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.

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Have all plans reviewed by your building department or by an experienced building professional who knows local conditions, before you start to build. Plans may have to be modified by a local professional to suit your site's building code and weather requirements.