BUILD A WATER-WALL HOME

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 1983
 
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Brock Wag staff was the architect of this three-bedroom, two-bath, custom-designed abode. His clients wanted an attractive open home with a solar greenhouse. They got that . . . plus a very comfortable dwelling that has 100% natural cooling (in a part of California where summer temperatures can exceed 110 °F) and 80%-plus natural heating (in a 2,814-degree-day climate).

The house includes virtually all of the elements of good passive solar design (although the ceiling insulation was limited to six-inch bats--giving it a value of R- 19-by the depth of the rafters in the cathedral ceiling). Solar gain is through 180 square feet of south glass on the ground level and second story. Thermal storage is provided in the form of the 26,000-pound, tile-covered, insulated concrete slab and four steel water tanks (which hold a total of 14,000 pounds of liquid). Two of these are 2' X 2' X 5' sitting benches in the living room . . . one-in the den-is counter high, 2' X 2-1/2' X 11' . . . and a wall-sized 2' X 8' X 8' tank sits against the north side of the dwelling under the second-story balcony. Total storage capacity is almost 400,000 Btu, which provides carryover for several days of heating or cooling.

Summer cooling is also aided by effective control of solar gain, by way of wide overhangs and an arbor over the south deck. Night air circulation-assisted by the north south window orientation and open floor plan-is provided by both cross and stack ventilation. And a Casablanca fan produces extra cooling on the few days when the interior temperature reaches the high 70's.

The home's hot water-naturally-is also solar heated, by a two-panel thermosiphon system with a storage tank on the second floor. (The backup water- and space-heating systems are gas.)

The Morgan residence is located in Village Homes, a 200-unit solar development. Built in 1981, it represents the culminating step in an evolution of solar designs begun over seven years ago with the first units in Village Homes. And, in my opinion, it stands as irrevocable proof that passive solar design is the best way to beat high energy prices . . . with water walls leading the way.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Portions of this article were excerpted from David Bainbridge's. not yet available The Water Wall Solar Home Book.

David is a noted author and consultant on solar energy. (To contact Mr. Bainbridge about consulting services, write him at 1625 Curtis Street, Berkeley, California 94702.)

More information on water walls can be found in David's new $6.00, 34-page booklet on the topic. Other useful books on related subjects are his The Second Passive Solar Catalog ($12.50) ... Village Homes' Solar House Designs ($7.95) by David Bainbridge, Judy Corbett, and -john Hofacre . . . and So larizing Your Present Home ($24.95) edited by Joe Carter. All four publications can be ordered from the Passive Solar Institute, Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 722, Bascom, Ohio 94809 for their list prices plus $1.50 shipping and handling for the first book and $1.00 for each additional title.

Denny Long (Passive Solar Development, Dept. TMEN, Route 1, Box 158, Woodland, California 94965) builds custom modular steel water tanks and distributes Aqua Clear for $15 a pint, postpaid (the usual treatment rate is five ounces per 100gallons of water).

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