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The
thermal mass of the trombe wall and brick floor in this
adobe casita absorbs solar energy and helps heats the
house in the evening (1). The south-facing wall, solar
panels and solar hot water heater maximize abundant
energy from the sun (2) and eliminate electricity bills.
The small size of this adobe allows it to be easily
heated with a wood stove (3). Solar water heater provides
a hot outdoor shower amidst the tranquility of nature
(4). "It feels good to reduce my carbon footprint,"
the owner says.
Green
materials, techniques, & features: compressed
earth block walls; solar orientation; southern trombe
wall; thermal mass floor; solar electricity; gray water
use, solar hot water, composting toilet, composting
toilet.
Utilities
and cost: Around $30,000. $70 per sq. ft.
Advice
from the homeowner: The house would perform better
if some of the windows were better insulated. I could
use a bigger hot water heater.
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The
ceiling in this rammed-earth home is an adaptation of
a traditional Navajo whirling log roof made from local
Ponderosa pine. The cupola windows are situated to capture
sunlight in the winter time and ventilate hot air upwards.
In the summer they provide daylighting along with temperature
control (1). Walls made of recycled bottles are beautiful
and provide both light and privacy while saving energy
(2). The 18" thick walls in this rammed-earth structure
provide thermal mass, keeping the house cool in the
summer and warm in the winter. The house is bermed 1.5
foot below-grade, further modulating temperature (3).
Green
materials, techniques, & features: rammed-earth;
poured adobe; recycled materials; earthen bermed 1.5
ft below grade, so the sunken rooms are cool in the
summer; solar panels; geothermal floor heating; solar
greenhouse; cupola; convective loop air heating; reflective
fabric panel used to block hot air rising to the cupola
and reduce volume of heated space; reflective tin roof.
Utilities
and costs: 800 square foot home cost $20/sq.ft.
(1985$). Electric bill is $30/mo.
Advice
from the homeowners: Insulate west wall for greater
temperature control. Start small and add on. Talk to
others and observe.
Facts
and terms from: Green Building: Project Planning
& Cost Estimating, RS Means, 2002.
Photos
by Marya Gendron,
except where noted.
View
the rest of the exhibit here:
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