Bicton Passive Solar Home 2016

Bicton Passive Solar Home

This house has been sold and is unlikely to open for SHD in the future

This passive solar home is orientated north to maximise exposure to the winter sun. The large northern windows allow for this winter sun to penetrate the home. The high thermal mass of the dark tiles used in the kitchen, dining and living room, will absorb the heat during the day and release it during the night. This ensures a comfortable temperature throughout the year.

The east side of the home has extra insulation in the walls and west side is protected from the heat of the summer sun by the garage. The ceiling is insulated and the light coloured roof has an anticon barrier to reflect heat build up in the ceiling.

In hot weather the curtains are drawn during the day and opened at night, windows and doors are positioned to allow for optimum breeze paths. By having the double doors kept closed during the day, it enables the whole area to maintain warmth during winter and allows for good air flow when open during summer.

Deciduous creepers on the north help to keep the home cool in summer months, and the garden with many native plants is watered by drip irrigation.

Designed by Solar Dwellings and built by Lifestyle Homes