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| sustainability |
| rules of thumb |
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Cambridge Studio
617.547.4477
Newton Studio
617.244.4477
Berkshire Studio
413.528.4452
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| Solar Energy |
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South-Facing Glazing: is glass that faces within 30 degrees of due south. South-facing glass should be between 7% of
the finish floor area (for a house with no additional internal mass) to 20% with appropriate increase in internal thermal mass.
South-facing glazing should be shaded from summer sun.
North Windows: should be 4% of total floor area. No shading is required. East windows should be 4% of total floor area, and west windows should be 2%.
Thermal Mass: Materials such as brick, masonry, poured concrete or tile placed in the floor or on walls where sunlight will fall directly on them.
Thermal mass prevents high midday internal temperatures in the summer or on sunny winter days by absorbing and holding in heat. As a rule of thumb the
thermals mass should be 6 times the area of direct-gain south-facing glass. Mass should be around 4" thick which is easier to incorporate in
a slab-on-grade floor. Covering the mass with large areas of insulating materials such as carpet, rugs or furniture reduces its effectiveness.
A matte finish and a dark color increase the amount of heat captured.
Solar Hot Water: Water heating uses about 15% of the energy in U.S. homes and ranks as the second largest household energy expense after
space conditioning. Indirect pumped systems are the only ones suitable for climates which experience freezing. Examples are drain-back systems,
closed-loop systems, and batch/integral collector storage with a special freeze prevention drip valve.
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