Index
Page numbers in italics indicate figures and illustrations.
A
active solar thermal systems, 122
AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency), 154
air conditioners, BTU output, 19
Air Krete spray foam insulation, 52
air-source heat pumps, 161–166, 163, 164
altitude angle, 69, 70
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 160
Andrews, Steve, 114–115, 117
appliances, BTU output, 19
attached sunspaces, 82, 83–84, 99–102, 100
awning windows, 94
azimuth angle, 69–70
B
backer rod, 32–33, 32
back-pass collectors, 108–109
backup heat systems. See heating
baseboard hot water systems, 136, 139, 156–157, 158
basements, insulation for, 54–57
batt insulation
about, 50–51
in floors, 53–54
BioBased spray foam insulation, 52
blower door test, 28–29, 29
blue board, 55
boilers
about, 156–158
choosing a system, 160
energy-efficient, 158–160
oversized, 161
BTUs (British Thermal Units), 19–20
building envelopes
effect of leaks, 23–25
locating leaks, 26–32
new construction, 36–37
in passive solar design, 77–78
sealing leaks, 11, 32–36
C
Cansolair, 112, 113
carbon dioxide, 16
carbon monoxide, 155–156
cars, energy conversion, 17–18
casement windows, 94
caulk, 33–34
ceiling fixtures, 28, 32, 37
ceilings
assessing existing insulation, 46–47
insulation R-value recommendations, 40–44
types of insulation for, 49–51
cellulose insulation, 41, 50, 51
climate change, effects of, 1
closed ceiling cavities, assessing existing insulation, 46–47
closed-loop antifreeze hot water systems, 125, 134–135, 134
closed-loop glycol-based space-heating systems, 142–144
closed-loop solar hot air collectors, 107–109
closed-loop solar hot water systems, 124
closed-loop thermosiphon hot water systems, 130–131
collectors, 6–7
Colorado
magnetic declination, 76
solar radiation, 99
concrete slabs
for heat storage, 145
insulation, 56
insulation R-value recommendations, 40–44
condensing furnaces, 153–154
conservation. See energy conservation
conventional furnaces, 150–152
cooling
air conditioners, 19
with heat pumps, 164
with insulation, 44
measurement of capacity, 19
D
Database on State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, 160
day length and solar gain, 67
Department of Energy (DOE)
boiler upgrades, 158
on heating systems, 161
insulation R-value recommendations, 40, 42–43, 42
on solar hot air systems, 104, 114
DeSoto Solar, 113
diesel fuel, BTUs, 19
direct domestic solar hot water systems, 123–124
direct gain
in passive solar design, 81–82, 82
solar additions, 97–98
direct PV (photovoltaic) pumps, 143
domestic solar hot water systems (DSHW)
about, 120–124
components of, 121
solar collectors, 135–139
types of systems, 124–134
door sweeps, 35–36
doors, 35–36
draft, 151
drainback solar hot water heating systems, 132, 140–142
drywall, 37
DSHW. See domestic solar hot water systems
ducts, 150
E
Earth, position of Sun and, 64–72, 67
eaves, 80, 97
efficiency. See energy efficiency
electrical outlets, gaskets, 35–36, 36
electricity, renewable sources of, 2
energy
conversion of, 16–18
sources of, 15–16
units of measurement, 18–21
energy audits, 27–31, 46
energy conservation
benefits of, 12–15
definition, 10
energy consumption
measurement of, 18–21
reduction, 9
energy density, 62–63
energy efficiency
benefits of, 12–15
cost savings, 11
definition, 10
importance of, 9
Energy Star, 154, 159–160
energy trusses, 45
EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber weather stripping, 35
equinoxes, 69
evacuated-tube solar collectors, 136–139, 137
The Evergreen Institute, 9
exfiltration, 29
expanding foam sprays, 34–35, 93
extruded polystyrene rigid foam insulation, 55
F
fall equinox, 69
fiberglass loose-fill insulation, 50
firewood, BTUs, 19
flat-plate solar collectors, 135–136, 136
floors
insulation R-value recommendations, 40–44
types of insulation for, 53–54
Florida, magnetic declination, 76
foam gaskets, 35–36
forced-air furnaces
conventional, 150–152
heat loss, 29
high-efficiency, 152–156
pressurization, 157
formaldehyde, 52–53
fossil fuels
demand for, 1
energy in, 15–16
heating use, 150
foundations
assessing existing insulation, 49
insulation for, 54–57, 56
frames, window, 95
front-pass collectors, 108–109
frost-protected shallow foundation, 55–56
fuel oil high-efficiency furnaces, 155–156
Fujitsu, 164
furnaces
choosing a system, 160
conventional, 150–152
heat distribution, 151
high-efficiency, 152–156
oversized, 161
G
gaskets, for electrical cover plates, 35–36, 36
gasoline, BTUs, 19
geothermal systems, 161–166, 162
glycol-based solar hot water heating systems, 142–144
gravity drainback hot water systems, 125, 131–134
Great Stuff, 34, 93
Green Home Improvement (Chiras), 36
greenhouse gases, 16
ground-mounted solar hot air collectors, 110
ground-source heat pumps, 161–166
H
Haney, Mike, 104
heat pumps, 161–166
heat storage, 144–145
heaters, BTU output, 19
heating (alternate and backup)
boilers, 156–160
conventional furnaces, 150–152
with electricity, 2, 4
heat pumps, 161–166
high-efficiency furnaces, 152–156
Henkel Corporation, 35
high-efficiency furnaces, 152–156
Home Power magazine, 109, 144
hopper windows, 94
house design. See passive solar house design
Hurrle, Bill, 115, 117
hydronic heating systems
boilers, 156–160
components of, 157
heat loss, 30
I
Icynene spray foam insulation, 52
Idaho, magnetic declination, 76
incandescent light bulbs, 10
incentives, 7, 116, 147, 160
indirect domestic solar hot water systems, 124
indirect gain, 83, 84–86, 85
induced-draft boilers, 159
induced-draft furnaces, 152–156
infiltration, 30
in-floor heating systems
boilers, 156–160
components of, 157
heat loss, 30
inoperable windows, 94
insulation
assessing existing levels, 44–49
for ceilings, 49–51
for cooling, 44
diminished returns, 41–42
DOE recommendations, 42–43
for floors, 53–54
for foundations, 54–57
measurement of, 28
R-values of, 47
sealing leaks and, 31
for walls, 51–53
when retrofitting for passive solar, 90–91
irradiance, 60–63, 63, 64, 65, 66
irradiation, 63–64, 65
isolated gain, 83–84, 99–102
J
Jancovici, Jean-Marc, 59
K
Kansas, magnetic declination, 76
kilowatt-hours (kWh), 20–21
Kirkpatrick, Todd, 109–110
L
Lane, Tom, 145
leaks
benefits of sealing, 25–26, 38
cumulative effect of, 23–25
locating, 26–32
typical locations of, 24
See also sealing
LED lights, 10, 11
light bulbs, 10, 20
light fixtures, 28, 32, 37
light switches, gaskets, 35–36, 36
liquid foam insulation
about, 51–53
in floors, 53, 54
in walls, 52, 53
loose-fill insulation, 41, 50
low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) glass, 77
M
magnetic declination, 71–72, 71, 75–76
magnetic north, 70–72
magnetic south, 70–72, 75
Marken, Chuck, 109, 114, 115, 144
McDonough, Bill, 4
M-D Building Products, 35
measurement of energy, 18–21
Middle East, energy resources, 2
Missouri, magnetic declination, 75
Mitsubishi, 164
Montana, magnetic declination, 76
Mother Earth News, 115
multiple chemical sensitivity, 53
N
National Association of Home Builders, 56
natural gas
furnaces, 150
measurement of, 19
reserves, 1–2
natural-draft furnaces, 150–152
near-infrared radiation, 60
new construction
air sealing, 36–37
backup heat systems, 149
See also passive solar house design
New Mexico, magnetic declination, 76
north, 70–72
Northern Hemisphere, sun angle, 66, 67
Nusz, Benjamin, 120, 145
O
oil high-efficiency furnaces, 155–156
open-loop solar hot air collectors, 106–107, 114, 117–118
open-loop solar hot water systems, 123–124
open-loop thermosiphon hot water systems, 130
overhangs, 80, 97
ozone, 60
P
passive solar house design
benefits of, 86–87
building envelope, 77–78
direct gain, 82
options, 80–86
orientation, 16, 74–76
overhang, 80
thermal mass, 78–80
windows, 76–77
passive solar house retrofitting
attached sunspaces, 99–102
backup heat systems, 149
insulation, 90–91
sealing, 90
solar additions, 97–99
windows, 89–97
passive solar thermal systems, 122
Pennsylvania, magnetic declination, 76
pink board, 55
Plagmann, James, 74
PPG, 95
propane furnaces, 150
propylene glycol, 121–122, 130, 133, 134–135
pump circulation hot water systems, 125, 131
R
radiant floor heating
boilers, 156–160
components of, 157
heat loss, 30
Ramlow, Bob, 120, 138, 139, 141, 145
raw energy, conversion of, 16–18
Rentz, Henry, 138–139
retrofitting for passive solar. See passive solar house retrofitting
rigid foam insulation, 54–57
R-values
about, 28
determining existing levels, 46
of insulation, 47
S
sand beds, 145
Sawchak, David, 139
sealing
importance of, 25–26, 38
before insulation, 31
materials for, 32–36
in new construction, 36–37
when retrofitting for passive solar, 90
Seip, Ralf, 114
SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient), 77, 94–95
silicone caulk, 33–34
sill seals, 37
slabs
for heat storage, 145
insulation, 56
insulation R-value recommendations, 40–44
slider windows, 94
solar additions, 97–99, 98
solar azimuth angle, 69–70
solar batch hot water systems, 124–128, 127
solar collectors (for DSHW), 135–139
solar electricity, commercial supplies, 2–4
solar energy
conversion of, 17–18
radiation, 59–64
Sun-Earth relationship in, 64–72
solar glazing, 76–77, 99
solar greenhouses, 82, 83–84, 99–102, 100
solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), 77, 94–95
solar hot air systems
about, 103–106
collectors, 104, 105, 107, 108, 110
cost-effectiveness, 116
installation, 109–114
results with, 114–115
sources of, 116–118
types of, 106–109
solar hot water space-heating systems
about, 139–140
choosing a system, 145–147
storage tanks, 144–145
types of, 140–144
solar hot water systems. See solar thermal systems
Solar Hot Water Systems (Lane), 145
Solar Max, 112–113, 113
solar radiation, 59–64
solar thermal systems
domestic solar hot water systems, 120–139
solar space-heating systems, 139–147
Solar Water Heating (Ramlow, Nusz), 120, 145
SolarSheat, 108, 112, 115
SolarWall, 117
solstice, 68–69
south, 70–72
Southern Hemisphere, sun angle, 66, 67
spray foam insulation. See liquid foam insulation
spray foam sealants, 34–35, 93
spring equinox, 69
SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corporation), 116
storage tanks, 144–145
summer solstice, 66, 68–69
Sun
energy conversion, 17
fossil fuel energy and, 15–16
radiation, 59–64, 61
relationship to Earth, 64–72, 67, 81
SunAire, 114
Sungate 100 and 500, 95
sunspaces, 82, 83–84, 99–102, 100
Sustainable Energy Systems, 52, 54
T
tankless water heaters, 122–123
thermal mass, 78–80, 78, 79, 96–97
thermal storage walls, 84–86, 85
thermosiphon hot water systems, 125, 128–131, 129
Thermotech, 95
therms, 19
tilt angle of solar hot air collectors, 110
transpired air collectors, 106–107, 114, 117–118
Trombe wall, 83, 84–86, 85
true north, 70–72
true south, 70–72, 74–76
trusses, 45
tubular weather stripping, 35
U
United States
energy resources, 1–2
magnetic declination, 71, 75–76
units of measurement, 18–21
V
vaulted ceilings, assessing existing insulation, 46–47
W
walls
assessing existing insulation, 47–49
insulation R-value recommendations, 40–44
types of insulation for, 51–53
water
hardness of, 133, 146
heating. See domestic solar hot water systems
watts, 20
weather stripping, 35
weatherization
appeal of, 13
importance of, 5, 11
whole-house fans, 28, 32
Wilson, Alex, 106
wind energy, commercial supplies, 2–4
windows
installation, 91–94
in passive solar design, 76–77
retrofitting for passive solar, 89–97
types of, 94–96
weather stripping, 35
wing insulation, 55
winter solstice, 66, 68–69
wool insulation, 50
Wyoming, magnetic declination, 76
Y
Your Solar Home, 108, 112, 113