Metateps

Other factors come into play when trying to solarize a home. Basically the rule of thumb is to keep it simple and keep it small. Here are some important points to bear in mind:

Large structures are harder to heat than small structures.

An east-west axis (90 degrees to true south) allows the longer side of the structure to be exposed to the sun. That's where the big windows should be. North- and east-facing glass can lose a lot of heat in the winter, and west-facing glass can cause overheating in summer, so they should be few and small. (Use overhangs over the windows to protect the interior from too much summer sun. A 2-foot overhang is usually enough.) If possible, burrow into a south-facing slope and build the structure with its north side buried in the berm. This is called earth sheltering. Thermal mass inside collects heat in the winter and stays relatively cool in the summer, which helps prevent overheating. The thermal mass should be widely dispersed inside so it warms the whole structure. Narrow rectangular masses help heat multiple rooms independently without fans or ducts, and they help block the sun from the interior surface of the east and