Abstract
This research compares the energy performance of 43 homes. Seven homes, constructed by a single builder using passive design principles, are the focus of the study. The remaining 36 homes, more conventionally built, establish a baseline for local residential energy performance. All of the homes are located within a six square-mile geographical region in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Researchers collected utility data over a two year period, from September 2009 to August 2011. While other factors impact performance, for this study the dependent variable was energy consumption in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per square foot per season. The independent variable was solar orientation of largest glazing area for the seven passive design homes. The use of a single geographical area eliminated any influence of climate variation on energy performance. When comparing test cases of passive houses to conventionally constructed homes, analysis of real-world data demonstrated solar orientation has significant impact on the homes’ energy performance. Specifically, the research provides evidence that proper solar orientation in similarly constructed homes provides benefits during all four seasons in the geographical region tested. The primary contribution of this research is to provide evidence for and to quantify the potential value of using a residential contractor with expertise in solar design in a designated cold-climate region. The research findings provide a model for other builders seeking evidence-based means to justify and highlight trade-offs and advantages of passive design and construction.
Recommended Citation
Hessman, Torry D.; Clevenger, Caroline M.; Nobe, MaryEllen C.; and Leigh, Katharin
(2015)
"Solar Orientation for Low-Energy Residential Building
in Pagosa Springs, Colorado,"
The Professional Constructor: Vol. 39:
No.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/aic-journal/vol39/iss1/3
