The Solar Series
Earth-bermed & earth-tempered sustainable living
Formerly known as the "Survival Consultants (SURVCON) Series".
Does the Hobbit-lifestyle appeal to you?
Energy savings and sustainability begin with architecture. The position of your Kit on land, its orientation towards the sun, and geometry of its design are how we use the sun’s energy to provide interior climate control. Passive solar design is the least expensive and most natural way to utilize solar power. The Solar Series passive solar Kits are shaped to admit warming sunlight during the winter months and shade the interior from the sun during summer. These Kits use the density and conductivity of the foundation & floor slab to regulate temperature: distributing warmth in winter and to keeping the house cool in summer.
- Earth-Tempering: digging your passive solar house into a south-facing slope, is extremely important. Proper insulation will protect your home from temperature swings, and the moderate temperature of the Earth’s crust will reduce heating and cooling loads.
- Earth-Berming: covering your roof with earth or garden, provides additional protection. With this hobbit-style of living, your house can be comfortable year-round without any mechanical or electrical heating/cooling! In fact, some of the oldest, still-inhabited houses in the world are built this way.
This design is what makes solar-heated water and photovoltaic energy economically viable: Start your sustainable solar program with the geometry and features of the house itself.