Residential Passive Solar Design for Canadian Cities: Assessing the Potential
Abstract
In Canada, space heating accounts for over 60% of residential energy consumption (NRCan, 2010). It has been suggested that one of the most effective means to reduce space-heating requirements in Canada is passive solar design design, when used in conjunction with insulation levels equivalent to the requirements of Canada’s R-2000 standard (Athienitis, 2007). The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) (1998) has suggested that savings of 30 to 50% are achievable in Canadian climates using passive solar design design. Canada’s potential to reduce fossil fuel consumption and associated GHG emissions, with passive solar design design, ranks high relative to other countries, due to its predominantly cold and sunny climate (CMHC, 1998). Most of the research on passive solar design in North America was conducted in mid 1970’s to mid 1980’s (for overviews refer to: Barakat, 1982 (Canada NRC); Balcomb, 1992 (US DOE)). Research in the US showed that large energy savings could be achieved with little or no additional capital cost (Balcomb, 1992). However, only a few studies have quantified this potential in Canada (eg. Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, 1984). O’Brien et al. (2008) state that most passive solar design literature for cold climates is out of date, as much of the research was carried out several decades ago. They point out that most of the analysis was limited to statistically-based calculations, rather than hourly or sub hourly time step based computation that is common now. Given this, there is a need to produce current, accurate estimates of the potential energy savings for passive solar design. Understanding the potential of passive solar design has significance to policy and planning decisions for cities, regarding density and shading. Also, having typical values for energy savings from passive solar design will useful for informing house designers, and programs which support the adoption of low energy buildings. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the technical potential of passive solar design as a means to save energy in the residential sector, and to produce accurate estimates of typical passive solar design energy savings for a common new home, throughout a range of Canadian climates with major population centers.