Joe Fischer wrote:
On 17 Nov 2006 wrote:
A typical brick or block house should be big enough, assuming its
decently insulated. Mine doesnt lose a whole lot of temp overnight. One
simply sets the solar heating stat to above the temp of the gas CH,
make use of that comfort zone.
NT
A house built for solar heat, or any type of efficient
heating, should have a triple wall construction, in contrast
to present common designs, a well insulated outer wall,
a thick masonry wall (concrete block), and either face brick
on the inside, or furring strips and plaster (drywall).
There are many concrete block houses, but almost
all have the block on the outside.
This is as bad as all the industrial buildings having
north facing windows.
Joe Fischer
It would be a lot more material efficient to have 2 wall leafs than 3,
with the inner being thicker than the outer, eg 2.5" outer leaf, 1"
uninsulated cavity, 6" insulated cavity then 6" inner leaf. SS wall
ties would give the 2.5" leaf good stability.
Triplewall construction only gives a 2nd cavity, and this can be
achieved at far lower cost in other ways.
NT