There are many ways to prevent global warming through building more energy efficient homes. Conventional houses are large, poorly designed, and inefficient, and the manufacturing and construction processes are big contributors to global warming. Perhaps more important is how much energy is spent heating and cooling homes throughout the changing seasons.
However, passive solar design is a home design approach that promotes maximum energy efficiency and can dramatically reduce the amount of energy that goes into maintaining a comfortable living space.
Passive solar design
You can lower your energy bills with a passive solar home that is designed for maximum energy efficiency. One of the most important design elements in efficient natural buildings is passive solar construction. Passive solar homes feature intelligent design considerations that can dramatically decrease the need for active energy heating and cooling systems — or, in other words, you will spend less money on heating and cooling.
In effect, passive solar homes stay cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter with lesser need for air conditioning and heating. First and foremost, passive solar homes are oriented towards the sun (which is the south in the northern hemisphere) and feature large south-facing windows that let in a wealth of sunlight in wintertime (when the angle of the sun is much lower) and help warm up a space. With the proper calculations and other considerations (like large roof overhangs), direct sunlight is prevented from entering in summertime, keeping a room cool and comfortable.
Thermal energy can be stored in a masonry or earthen floor or cob wall, or even in large drums filled with water. After all, concrete, stone, earth, and water are all superior heat storage mediums when compared to air.
You can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint living in an efficient passive solar home. To learn more about passive solar home design, check out this link.