Clean Energy
Passive Solar
BK Labs, provides a holistic approach to power consumption, presenting
solutions to produce efficient renewable energy, and remedies for conservation.
Passive
solar makes use of the sun's heat energy and compliments solar
electric - photovoltaics. Energy efficiency can be maximized if certain
features are incorporated into the design of your home, office or other utility
building. Passive solar features are used to keep a building warmer in the
winter, and cooler in the summer.
Some Important Energy Considerations
Alternative Energy & Passive Solar
If you're considering an alternative form of electrical production using solar, wind or hydroelectric resources, the following items can be very useful to minimize overall energy requirements when designing a building.
Landscape Features
Trees can be very helpful in passive solar designs. Trees can be used as wind breaks in cold climates or shade on the west side in warm climates. Deciduous trees and vines can be used in mixed climates for shade in the summer and allow the sun to shine through the winter.
Window Glass
Energy efficient window glass can really help to keep summer heat from penetrating your windows, especially on the west side, but also allow winter solar heat to keep your structure warmer. We recommend using inexpensive transparent, Low-E coatings (Low Emissive) applied by the window manufacturer when ordering your windows. Particularly on west facing windows, the Low-E coating dramatically reduces the amount of solar heat passing through to your interior in the summer.
Wind Barriers
The proper use of "wrap" or a wind barrier prior to final siding will help restrict unwanted airflow in the wall and ceiling cavities
Absorption Materials
The use of stone, brick or tile in the interior can absorb winter solar heat during the day through window openings, and then slowly release it throughout the evening. Decorative water columns are also used. There are many interior features, which can be utilized to store heat during the day in the winter to reduce overall heating costs. The same holds true for keeping cooling costs down, solar angles throughout the year, window sizes, eave projections and total mass of the absorption material are all considerations.
Geothermal Energy
Using relatively stable underground temperatures to assist heating in the winter and cooling a structure in the summer is very viable. The colder the outside air is the more viable are these systems. Conversely, that same average underground temperature can cool fluids and be used to provide "air conditioning".
Compact Fluorescent Lighting
A regular light bulb produces about 5-7 times more heat energy than it does light. That's why they're very hot when you touch them. A compact fluorescent bulb is just the opposite, producing 5 times more light than heat. They're barely warm to the touch.
Color & Materials
Exposed surfaces affected by summer/winter solar heat is a factor. The total surface areas and their color or material should be considered. Darker colors absorb more heat in the winter, but also in the summer. The top four absorbing colors are black, red, brown & navy blue. Balance of the type of materials and color can make a difference in overall efficiency, although with the proper insulation & other design features there's plenty of room for decorative colors.
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