Getting the Mechanicals Right

摘要

Although many superinsulated houses are designed and built to be heated primarily by the energy from sunlight, there is almost always a secondary source of heating. The house shown here, which was covered in a recent series of five articles and videos, is no exception. It receives 50% of its total required heating from the sun-with another 25% from electronics, appliances, and occupants-but the remaining 25% must be handled by mechanicals. This heating requirement-about 6000 Btu-leads to some challenges.