[Greenbuilding] Passive Solar and HVR/ERV systems

[Ian Albinson]

On Feb 23, 2007, at 5:06 PM, Matt Tymoshuk wrote:

> Radiant floor heating within a passive solar exposed concrete floor  
> is not
> going to work. If you do use radiant floor heating put it in the  
> areas/rooms
> that have no direct solar gain on the conc. floor and also avoid  
> the open
> concept areas that include passive solar.

 From the suggestions here, in-floor is probably out. I've read  
similar thoughts
in the "Your Green Home" book by Alex Wilson, with regard to over- 
heating
a superinsulated house with an in-floor system.

> A better solution is to place
> hydonic rads throughout the house and lots of ceiling fans or use  
> forced
> air. Both of which are quick reacting and will stop heating when  
> its sunny
> out but allow you to circulate the passive gain throught the house.

The ceiling fans are a good suggestion, and I may combine those with an
HRV system to move air around the house. I'm trying to avoid forced  
air as
much as I can, due to allergies and cleanliness.

> Wear slipper, you will more than likely be forced to wear them on  
> such a hard
> surface anyways. Slab on grade will mean wearing slippers even if  
> it is
> heated, since walking on such a hard surface is hard on most  
> peoples bodies.

Another vote for slippers! That's a must I guess, plus some sort of  
area rugs.

> Otherwise reduce your footprint by putting in a basement (with radiant
> heating) and a second story both of which can have any type of  
> confortable
> flooring. The solar gains can be moved around by forced air or  
> ceiling fans
> and if you max out the solar gain with lots of windows double up  
> the drywall
> in the areas that will have direct solar gain.

The first floor is sort of the basement, with it being cut into the  
hillside, but
because it's where the bedrooms are, I think, like you suggested, in- 
floor would
be overpowering.