Passive Solar Part #3

Passive Cooling. Passive cooling is the idea of cooling without mehancial ventilation. In Minnesota this is less of a concern than passive heating, but still something to take into consideration. Because of the airtightness standards and other building codes, there are some limations to pasive cooling design.

You can have a vaulted ceiling with operable skylights or windows. Another alternative is a thermal chimney, like a three story entryway with operable windows up high.

Exhaust fans that move air from conditioned to unconditioned spaces such as the attic are not allowed by buiding code in Minnesota.

All of our Amaris homes are built with air-to-air exhangers which exchanges and conditions fresh air and can help cool down a well insulated home without air conditioning.

Landscaping is one other strategy that can contribute to passive cooling techniques. Good old fashioned trees are a way to shade a home in the summer.