Imagine yourself living in a solar passive, energy efficient home – with solar panels, a solar hot water system, ample fresh air, gentle ambient light throughout, windows shaded from harsh summer sun and shielded from cold biting winter winds – living with the sense of wellbeing that comes from a healthy environment… this all can be yours – and you can save $$$ on energy costs AND know you are doing something right for the environment.
Retrofitting: even an old energy-inefficient house can be retrofitted for improved energy lifestyle.
Green Architects
When new buildings are designed by experienced green architects, using the latest energy-efficient principles, owners enjoy reduced energy consumption and a more naturally comfortable environment. Owners of non-energy efficient buildings may ‘retro-fit’ their existing buildings to reduce energy loads and achieve greater comfort. Read our full article on using a green architect.
Green Building Products
The range of products now readily available in the market has grown tremendously in recent years but it will require a little extra research to find those that suit your project. A typical shopping list of green building products will include:
* solar panels or components * photovoltaic panels * sun control shade systems * non-toxic building materials * smart-power meters * cabinet coatings and laminates without formaldehydes * low energy light fittings, * laundry and grey water recycling system * low odour eco-friendly oils and paints * eco-friendly termite control * rainwater tanks
Read the full article on Green Building Products.
Sun Control Pergolas
In the video, solar-e.com Director Garry Baverstock (with a voice cameo from his wife Julia) explains the benefits of a sun control pergola known as the Tecto pergola. The tecto pergola is a system of permanently fixed sun screening blades. It functions adequately in helping to alternatively heat and shade your house.
For more information and purchase options, check out our pergola shop.
Six Principles for Solar Design
In cool to warm temperate climates the 6 principles are:
- Design for proper orientation and shaping of the plan
- Good window design (areas, insulating blinds and proper summer shade)
- Use heavy weight materials internally
- Place windows for for good ventilation
- Insulate walls, roofs and underside of exposed floors
- Have climate designed landscaping to enhance the design
The Climate Sensible Design DVD is available from the shop at solar-e.
Green Building Design Manual
Low Energy Buildings in Australia is a design manual for building a low energy building anywhere in Australia. It is simple enough for home owners to understand and the data sheets are fully detailed for architects, builders and designers to follow thus saving them from doing the science and the math.
It is available in our shop as a hard copy as well as a PDF Download.
solar-e.com highly recommends the following resource for Consumers:
Get Your Power from the Sun: A Consumer’s Guide Booklet from the U.S. Department of Energy The booklet provides information on various topics such as investing in a PV system, selecting a PV provider, and what you should know before connecting a PV system to the grid.
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