Comparative analysis of conservation and passive solar strategies in multi-family residences

The results of a study to compare the energy savings and cost effectiveness of a wide variety of conventional and new energy conserving measures and passive solar are presented. The annual energy requirement of the prototype residence with the various conservation and passive solar strategies was evaluated using the SUNCAT passive solar computer simulation program. The economic analysis was based on life cycle costs. The passive solar design approaches evaluated included: south orientation of structures with conventional glass distribution, reduced north windows plus a slab floor, direct gain, indirect gain and attached greenhouse. The sensitivity to the amount of solar glass and mass in addition to that contained in normal construction was determined. The performance of the systems was analyzed assuming both high conservation and conventional code construction. With high insulation levels and low infiltration construction, the performance of passive solar systems was found to be insensitive to a wide variation in south glass and thermal mass. In fact, substantial reductions in both south glass and thermal mass relative to design recommendations do not seriously degrade the passive solar contribution to space heating. This means that passive solar benefits (heating and light) can be realized at a lower cost andmore » in a greater number of structures if combined with extra energy conserving features.« less