This hillside home built in 1980 features a beautiful combination of sunspace and solar direct gain. For these components, it is important to include thermal mass to store the heat. The sunroom has a floor of recycled brick and a low north wall that is concrete.The direct gain area on the lower floor has a cement slab floor Plants and ponds in the greenhouse entry add interest to an enjoyable entry and sitting space.

Nestled into a hillside, this home also incorporates ingenious cross ventilation and an open two-story area with interior window openings to allow distribution of the heated air from the greenhouse entry. Basic good solar planning used throughout this home includes minimal east, west and north windows, plus vestibule entries, additional insulation, and placement of active living areas on the south side of the home.Two solar water heating panels sit on the roof above the greenhouse entry. The water heating system uses a unique photovoltaic pump that produces all the electricity they use for the hot water system. To save even further, a new solar electric (PV) system of 640W feeds electricity back into the grid.

System Details

System Type:
Greenhouse (sunspace)entry
Direct gain (south windows)
Photovoltaic (solar elec.)
Solar Hot Water w/ PV pump
Storage: Brick floor & concrete wall.
Concrete floor at lower level
House: 2800 sf home
Designer/Bldr: Steven Seeborg
PV Systems: Siemens w/ Trace Inverter
Installer: Mr. Sun Solar

Energy Performance
Hot water savings: about 1400 kWh since the family size is small, but this represents about 60% of hot water. Photovoltaic savings: about 900 kWh/year, representing 10-15% of electricity used for lights and appliances. Space heat savings from greenhouse & direct gain: about 30% or 70 therms/year.