The integrated design of the house illustrated in this course, includes a tight, well-insulated thermal envelope, passive solar heating (direct gain and Trombe wall), a wood-burning stove, natural ventilation cooling, active solar water heating, high-efficiency electrical appliances, and a photovoltaic (PV) hybrid electrical power system. This course analyzes the effects of occupant behavior separately from the effects of the building design. In addition to describing the house and its performance, this course also illustrates a recommended design process. This approach of climate-sensitive, whole-house, passive-solar design has evolved over the past 20 years, along with the development of computer simulation tools to aid in the design process.

Learning Objectives

• Introduction to Off Grid Design
• Design Philosophy and Goals
• Report Organization
• The Design Process
• Location and Site Characteristics
• Climatic Influences
• Preliminary Design
• Basic Design Parameters
• Pre-Construction Modeling
• The House As Built
• Architectural Features
• Construction Details
• Infiltration and Ventilation
• The Space Heating and Cooling System
• Description of Thermal Energy Features
• Performance Evaluation
• The Domestic Hot-Water System
• The Electrical Energy System
• Loads and System Components
• Energy Performance Modeling
• Conclusions and Recommendations
• Evaluation of the Design
• General Recommendations