Passive solar system

- YES (especially since this is a new build)

- Windows must face within 30 degrees of true south and have few obstacles blocking the
sun  since most houses in SP have nearby neighbors to right and left w/ small side
yards, a passive solar system is unrealistic for house with neighbors to their south
o However, SP homes typically have larger back and front yards meaning that a
passive solar system is realistic for lots that are oriented where south is in line
with their yards

- Requires:
o Overhangs of roof to block summer sunlight and let winter sunlight in
 Allows for cooling in summer and heating in winter
o thermal mass flooring and walls
 Concrete slab floors and concrete walls for ex.
 Rammed earth walls – good insulation and aesthetically pleasing
o Triple glazed south facing windows
 More expensive than normal windows but worth it in long run

- Big sustainable drawback w/ passive solar is that no obstacles on the south side can
block the sun meaning no tall trees
o But still worth it for new builds
- Big question is: How to make a two story passive solar system build look good?

Solar panels
- YES
- Massive incentives in MD to use solar panels
o Discounts, tax breaks, SRECs for extra energy produced, money back, etc.
 - Pairs well w/ passive solar system as one side of the house already needs to not have
obstacles blocking sunlight
o Will be placed on same south side as the passive system as to allow the other
sides to have trees and for maximum sun light

Stories
- Two stories  energy efficiency and less space taken up by house
o Easier to heat
o Less spread out  more room for a sustainable yard
- But it’s tricky to do a two story passive heating system so maybe a gambrel roof or…

Rainwater
- From roof
- Gutter  rain barrel  rain garden system
o Rainwater collected into gutters flows down into rain barrels and any overflow of
the barrels in rerouted through pipes to rain garden
o Rain water in barrels can be used to water gardens and lawns, wash cars, etc.

Somewhat like this

o Green roof for helping collect water and support plant life is possible but only
available for north side roof as to fit in solar panels and the passive system
without disruption
 Green roofs also are good insulation and help decrease urban heat island
effect

- On lawn
- Lawn will be made of a native plant that holds a lot of water such as clover
- Any water on lawn will be redirected via slopes to rain gardens

- On driveway, paths, deck, etc.

- Any path or driveway will be constructed with pavers
o Allows water to infiltrate through cracks and into the ground
Yard
- Rain gardens
o YES
 See other doc for details on why
o For our design the rain gardens should
 Use only native plants (see excel chart for plant options)
 Added benefits w/ certain native plants!!
 Have rainwater drain into them via slopes in the ground, gutters, pipes,
etc.
 Line the yard especially in areas with critical runoff levels like under roofs,
next to driveway, etc.
- Grass
o NO  grass alternatives like clover or other native cover plants
 See other doc for why
- Trees
o YES (obviously)
o Should provide shade on areas that are overheated (lower urban heat island
effect) such as pavement
o Should not provide shade on south side of house (passive solar) or over solar
panels

Siding
- Wood
o Good option
 Natural insulator  lower energy use for heating and cooling
 Durable
 Note shou sugi ban
 Can be reclaimed
 https://www.elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com/ - just one company
that does reclaimed siding
o Tends to be more $ though
 Recyclable and biodegradable
 Fits into SP aesthetic
  Only issue is that it cuts down trees but if sustainably sourced then it’s a
great option
- Insulated vinyl
o Good option
 Vinyl w/ insulating foam behind
 Great insulator (best of all) lower energy use
 BUT made of PVC (chemical harmful to environment and people)
- These are our two choices because any other siding option does not fit the general curb
appeal of SP, are not as sustainable, or are too costly

Roof material (see above notes for roof shape ideas)

- Asphalt shingles
o NO
 Most common here in SP
 But are petroleum based  non sustainable
- Green roof
o YES (on certain areas)
 See above for why
 Maybe only on one side of roof
- Wood shingles
o MAYBE
 Sustainable (from trees and biodegradable)
 BUT w/o chemical treatments that are bad for environment, these roofs
are difficult to maintain
 Is shou sugi ban (natural waterproof) roofing available??
- Clay/terracotta tiles
o MAYBE
 Clay is abundant and basically sustainable
 BUT very expensive
- Metal roof
o MAYBE
 Great BUT absorb a lot of heat from sun  hotter house
 Bad in summer, good in winter

Open Concept
- YES
o Tends to be more on trend today
o Easier to heat and cool
o Allows natural light fully in  less need for lightbulbs and better for passive
heating

Appliances
- Kitchen
o Sinks
 Water conserving and sustainably sourced materials
 Native Trails – brand
o Fridge
o