Possibilities for passive solar house design in Scotland

Abstract

SYNOPSIS This paper compares results from SERI-RES simulations of two very different passive solar house designs—one a large detached house with direct gain features, the other a small terraced house with a conservatory—and four conventional reference designs in the climates of Kew (51°N), Eskdalemuir (55°N) and Lerwick (60°N). The estimated fuel savings from the direct gain features are generally rather lower in Scotland than at Kew but if window areas were re-optimized to suit the Scottish climate (they would be smaller), the fuel savings in Scotland would probably be broadly similar to those achieved in southern England. The savings from the conservatory design are about 50% higher in Scotland than at Kew. It seems likely that the benefits of climate-optimized passive solar design will usually be as great in Scotland as in southern England, and in some cases they will be substantially greater. Taking cost into account as well, passive solar design appears to be an attractive option for house designers ...