09

APR
2003

■ Reducing Energy Demands

■ Passive Solar Systems
■ Physical Principles
■ Design Basics

Passive Solar Design

Energy Efficiency Through Passive Solar Design

Passive solar design concepts are particularly suited to temperate and arid zones.
Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and Sydney all lie within warm,
mild and cool temperate zones.

Introduction durable and readily available building material.

In addition to its thermal mass characteristics it
Life cycle analyses have demonstrated that the is ideally placed as a key feature of passive solar
majority of energy in a building is consumed in design. This briefing provides an overview of the
operational energy or during the post- key issues concerning passive solar design and
occupancy phase of a building's life. design guidance on how to best incorporate
A universally accepted method of reducing the these principles early in the design phase.
energy demands of active or mechanical means
of heating and cooling buildings is through Reducing Energy Demands
passive solar design. Additionally, by using
durable, long-life materials and materials that The operational energy demands of buildings
lower operational energy through fabric energy can be reduced by incorporating passive solar
storage or thermal mass, significant energy design principles appropriate to the local
savings can be made. Concrete is an extremely climate in the preliminary design stage.
 cooler months, these elements
collect solar energy through
windows, storing it in the high-mass
floor slab/walls/ceilings, releasing it
only when the air temperature drops
below that of the walls and floor. This
system uses the heat-storage
capacity or thermal mass of the
building materials to moderate
extremes of temperature in both
summer and winter.

Passive Solar Systems

Most passive solar designs are of the
direct-gain type where sunlight
entering through generally north-
facing windows falls onto an element
of the building suitable for absorbing
and storing of heat, usually a
concrete slab floor, with additional
storage provided by solid internal
walling Figure 2. There are many
Figure 1 Climate map (Courtesy of Australian Building Codes Board, indirect gain systems - including the
© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2002) Trombe-Michel wall, the greenhouse,
the greenhouse and rock bin, the
Eight climate zones have been advantage of high mass together Baer drum-wall, water-roofs and
identified in Australia Figure 1: with the heat of the sun - or solar thermo-siphon systems - all of which
■ Zone 1: Tropical, high humidity energy - more comfortable living are well documented.
summer, warm winter. conditions can be achieved with However, the direct gain system
■ Zone 2: Sub-tropical, warm humid reduced reliance on space heating is most often used because it
summer, mild winter. or cooling, and subsequent relatively easily achieved through the
■ Zone 3: Hot arid summer, warm reduced energy demands. provision of generous north-facing
winter. Concrete floors, solid internal glass in any design styles.
■ Zone 4: Hot arid summer, and external walls, north-facing Additionally, it does not increase
cool winter. windows and insulated roofs can be construction costs as it relies on
■ Zone 5: Warm temperate used in passive solar design. In the traditional building materials such
■ Zone 6: Mild temperate as a concrete floor built as a slab-on-
■ Zone 7: Cool temperate ground. With 80% of new housing in
■ Zone 8: Alpine SUMMER Australia being built on a concrete
SOLSTICE
December 22 slab floor, it makes sense to
EQUINOX
Passive solar design concepts are March 21/
capitalise on this asset and exploit its
particularly suited to the temperate September 23 thermal mass resulting in greater
and arid zones listed above. Adelaide, energy efficiency for the users.
Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra WINTER
SOLSTICE
and Sydney all lie within warm, mild June 21
Direct Gain - Heating Cycle
and cool temperate zones so that An otherwise appropriately designed
most of the Australian population 79°
building should aim to have north-
lives within these three climatic facing glazing of a size approximately
zones, Zones 5, 6 and 7. one-fifth the floor area of the rooms
In these zones, passive solar to be warmed by the direct-gain
56°
design exploits insulated solid or method. Where a mild winter climate
heavy building materials such as 33°
is experienced, the ratio of north-facing
concrete panel walls and floor glass to area of rooms heated by direct
slabs and clay brick masonry for gain may be as low as one eighth.
their value-added characteristics Having provided adequate
in conjunction with the difference Figure 2 Typical altitude angles at northern glazing for the living area,
in altitude angle of the sun in the 12.00pm for north-facing wall, the effect of direct gain heating
sky between summer and winter. latitude 350 South (Sydney NSW, should be optimised as follows:
By harnessing the natural Canberra ACT, Adelaide, Albany WA) ■ Use concrete as floor slabs, wall

Page 2 - Briefing 09 APRIL 2003

 Reflective foil sarking Insulated ceiling a two-metre-wide strip along this
northern edge and insulating the
Pelmet-hung heavy curtain outer face of internal masonry
to be drawn after sunset
leaf of external walls may also be
Direct and reflected
considered Figures 4 and 5.
radiation absorbed
by heavy-weight
walling elements Direct Gain - Cooling Cycle
such as concrete
panels or masonry A common failure of many low-
energy designs in temperate
Low-angled winter sun Australia is that they cater only for
penetrates under eaves
the winter heating cycle and forget
the summer cooling cycle. It is vital
to provide cross-ventilation in a
building in summer to not only
North-facing, concrete floor supply fresh air but also:
warmed by solar radiation
■ Give instantaneous cooling
Figure 3 Direct gain-heating cycle whenever the inside temperature
is higher than the outside one;
■ Remove overnight the heat stored
economically viable Figure 3. in the building fabric during the
Heavy-weight walls of
concrete panel or ■ Insulate the ceiling to prevent heat day commonly referred to as night
masonry
loss from the thermal stores purging; and
Concrete floor slab during the day and from the room ■ Provide the feeling of cooling on
at night and specify R-values for the skin by accelerating its
all relevant elements (walls, evaporative cooling (this can also
floors) and introduce energy be provided by the use of fans,
Damproof
membrane
efficiency measures in accordance particularly ceiling fans) Figure 6
with the Building Code of Solar shading should be
Building-grade polystyrene board protected Australia. configured over the northern
with fibre-cement sheeting
■ Seal around all wall penetrations windows to exclude access to most
Figure 4 Slab-edge insulation in to prevent heat loss by excessive summer sun to the interior spaces.
severe cold climate areas air leaks. Additionally, it is desirable to provide
■ Ideally carpets or rugs should not extra shading by a pergola planted
Insulate outer face
of heavy-weight
be laid over slabs receiving winter with deciduous vines, brise soleil or
(concrete wall sunlight. adjustable (fabric or metal) blinds on
panels or masonry)
internal leaf. ■ Insulate the edges of the slab- the northern windows to protect
Insulation materials on-ground floor, especially the them from heat gain in unseasonably
such as styrene-
foam board or northern edge that acts as the hot weather occurring in early
External Internal single-sided
leaf leaf reflective-foil prime heat store, reducing heat autumn or late spring.
laminates, should
be installed in
loss to the earth. Thickening of As the outside air temperature
accordance with the slab to the depth of 250mm in increases during a summer day the
manufacturer's
instructions

INTERIOR
Reflective foil sarking Insulated ceiling

Figure 5 Insulation of cavity wall

Open windows allow
in severe cold climate areas cross-ventilation

panels, structural elements - such

as beams and columns - ceiling
soffits or interior features such as
cabinetry benchtops, staircases.
Heavy-weight walls
■ In temperate and cool temperate (of concrete panels or masonry)
zones insulate the windows with Eaves shade glass
and concrete floor, absorb
heat from internal air
pelmet-hung, close-fitting, heavy from high-angled
summer sun
wall furnishings such as curtains,
which should be drawn after
sunset. In severely cold climates Concrete floor temperature modified
by cool, deep-earth temperature
double glazing or insulated
window shutters may prove Figure 6 Direct gain-cooling cycle

Briefing 09 APRIL 2003 - Page 3

 inside air temperature is modified by
the walls and floor absorbing heat
from the air. Additional efficiencies
can be introduced into the direct-gain
cooling cycle by: Up to 95% of
heat energy
■ Fostering vegetation near the absorbed
southern-side openings used for Up to 90% passes
ventilation - if these plants are straight through
Approximately As little as Up to
watered in summer the air 10% reflected 5% reflected 70% reflected
passing through them will be CLEAR GLASS ROUGH BLACK SURFACE SMOOTH WHITE SURFACE
partly cooled before entering the
internal space; Figure 8 Incident solar radiation
■ Planting deciduous trees or vines
on the northern and western sides Up to 53% of solar radiation Glasshouse Principle
of a building to provide shade in intercepted by earth is reflected back The characteristic of glass to
summer and admit sunlight in into space. Latitude and local climatic transmit nearly all solar (short-wave)
winter; factors further reduce the amount of radiation it intercepts while at the
■ In sub-tropical and tropical humid radiation received. Australia generally same time absorbing most thermal
zones and in humid areas of other receives about 47% of solar radiation (long-wave) radiation is important.
zones, adopting a design with a entering the atmosphere.
ventilated space between the
roofing and the ceiling; Incident Radiation Insulated ceiling

■ Adding suitable insulation under When sunlight strikes a surface,

the roofing material. radiation waves may be reflected,
transmitted or absorbed in any Heavy floor and
Glass is walls store and
Physical Principles combination depending on the transparent re-radiate heat
surface texture and colour and on to short-wave
solar radiation
The Nature of Solar Energy the clarity of the material Figure 8.
The sun's energy travels through A rough surface scatters reflected
space as a wide spectrum of waves; sunlight, while a smooth surface
the shortest is less than a millionth reflects it uniformly at the angle of
of a centimetre, the longest more incidence. A white glossy surface will
than a kilometre. Solar radiation is reflect more than 80% of the solar
classified by the length of these radiation falling on it, while a rough Glass deflects long-wave, re-radiated
heat which heats the inside air resulting
waves. Some 95% of heat energy black surface may reflect only five in higher temperature inside than out
radiating from the sun is contained in percent. Clear materials, such as
a relatively small segment of short glass, allow almost 90% of the solar Figure 9 The glasshouse principle
waves in the spectrum Figure 7. radiation to pass straight through.
The temperature build-up in a
closed car on a sunny but cold day is
evidence of the dual characteristic of
Some solar radiation is glass. Solar energy, streaming in
reflected by the earth
and the atmosphere through the windows is absorbed by
interior materials and re-radiated as
long-wave radiation to the interior
space, but is unable to pass through
the glass to the outside. The re-
radiated long-wave thermal radiation
ATMOSPHERE is then deflected back to the interior
thus heating it even further. This
Solar radiation principle is used to grow plants in
passes through the
clear atmosphere Some infra-red radiation is cold climates inside glass-houses or
absorbed and re-emitted by
the greenhouse gasses, thus greenhouses Figure 9.
Infra-red radiation warming the earth's surface
Most radiation is is emitted from the and the lower atmosphere
absorbed by the earth's surface
earth's surface and Heat Storage Capacity
warms it
EARTH Any material that absorbs solar
radiation is heated. The amount of
heat that can be stored in that
material is measured by its
Figure 7 The nature of solar radiation volumetric heat capacity, a function

Page 4 - Briefing 09 APRIL 2003

 Table 1 tuation between extremes of temp-
erature in both summer and winter.

Thickness Density R-value C-Value Thermal Mass

Thermal Capacitance
Material (mm) (kg/m2) (m2K/W) (kJ/m2K) The physical principles of solar
thermal energy have been outlined to
Solid Concrete Wall 150 2300 0.26 300 describe the receipt, absorption and
storage of this free energy source. In
Solid Concrete Wall
temperate climates insulated solid
or Floor Slab 100 2300 0.23 200
walls and floors have an advantage in
Clay Masonry Veneer 110 1600 0.18* 163* conditioning the internal environment
Timber Frame/ due to diurnal temperature swings
Weatherboard Cladding 12 500 0.47 12 and the time lag decrement of the
Glass Curtain Wall 6 2500 0.16 1 thermal mass. In winter the thermal
mass in a correctly designed space
* As measured by CSIRO will store daily heat gains to be
distributed later in the day when
of a material's density and specific In hot weather thermally massive temperatures drop. Similarly, in
heat. The higher the volumetric floors and walls absorb heat from the summer heat, the slab acts as a
heat capacity, the greater the internal air. When insulated from the giant cooling element. The floor slab
material's potential for the storage outside air temperature, thermally benefits from the earth's near-
of solar energy Table 1. massive elements reduce the fluc- constant low temperature and links
Concrete and solid masonry
materials possess a natural
advantage in heat storage capacity
(thermal mass) which is magnified by
the normal thickness or volume of
these materials when used in
construction. Hence, concrete floors
and solid masonry walls provide
useful thermal mass in a building.
The use of concrete slab floors
for thermal mass is particularly
important, as most of the sunlight
passing through the windows falls on
the floor. Favourably conducting
surface materials such as quarry
tiles, slate or vinyl should be used on
floors receiving sunlight if the slab is
to be covered for aesthetic reasons.
Increasingly, concrete floor slabs are
left polished as exposed or patterned
floor finishes. While there is some
advantage in a darker colour if most
of the floor is actually sunlit, there is
also advantage in using mid-range
coloured materials if only part of the
floor is in the sun at any one time.
Reflecting some of the solar
radiation is the most effective way of YARRALUMLA HOUSE
distributing it to other thermally The precast concrete construction incorporates an insulated concrete sandwich
massive surfaces, such as walls, panel system giving a high R-value and thermal mass.The residence is designed
elsewhere in the direct gain space. to passive solar principles.
Insulating floor coverings such as
carpet, cork tiles or coir matting limit Architect Rick Butt, Strine Design
the potential advantages of the Structural Engineer Jerin Hingee
thermal mass of the floor. Building Type Residence. Two storey, detached
High thermal mass is useful in Climate Cool Temperate
areas not exposed to direct or Photography Bernie den Hertog, VR Grafix
reflected solar radiation in two ways.

Briefing 09 APRIL 2003 - Page 5

 to the thermal storage capacity of the however, earth-sheltered housing is position of true north, that the sun's
internal skin of solid cavity wall very energy efficient. Walls must be altitude in the sky varies with latitude,
construction so that the whole reacts designed as simple retaining walls and of the variation this causes to
slowly to outside temperature that can be achieved economically angles of sun penetration into a room
fluctuations, reducing dependence on with reinforced, concrete-filled, depending on the location of a site.
energy for heating or cooling to hollow, concrete blocks. Particular There are many publications that
produce comfortable internal attention must be paid to elaborate on this point, of which the
temperatures. In sub-tropical, waterproofing the retaining wall and most often used is Sunshine and
tropical and alpine zones the benefits concrete roof if used. Drainage and Shade in Australasia, R. O. Phillips,
of using high-thermal-mass walling insulation also need to be considered. CSIRO Technical report No. 92/2
will be discussed in detail in future When glass is oriented to the north
papers. Energy-efficient design Design Basics it is essential to provide an eaves
concepts must always be considered overhang which allows sun penetration
carefully so that the combination of Orientation in winter but excludes it in summer.
elements incorporated into a struc- Residential buildings designed to The extent of this overhang can be
ture suit local climatic conditions and capitalise on the benefits of solar easily calculated according to location
the peculiarities of a particular site. energy should be planned with living using the eaves overhang design chart
Slab edge insulation is recomm- areas placed to admit the sun in the Figure 15. It is also essential to ensure
ended when slab-embedded electric cooler months. The key to a house that plenty of sun can reach the glass
cables or water pipes are used for that is naturally warmer in winter in winter and is not obstructed by
space heating (and in severe cold and cooler in summer is the effect of vegetation or neighbouring property.
climates as previously mentioned). the combination of the earth's
In addition, the benefit from diurnal rotation about it's axis and Design for Climate
the area of a concrete slab that the tilt of the earth's axis in relation Housing should be designed to suit
receives direct solar radiation can to its orbit around the sun. The diurnal the particular climate of its location,
be optimised as a storage medium rotation causes the change from for the comfort of its occupants and
if it is thickened or it is insulated night to day and the tilted axis for energy efficiency. Climate can
from the ground. produces summer and winter as the change dramatically within one
The benefits of underground earth orbits the sun Figure 10. climate zone depending on whether
housing as protection from extremes These phenomena cause the the location is coastal, alpine
of temperature, such as at the opal- sun's position in the sky to appear (mountainous) or arid (desert) and its
mining town of Coober Pedy in South higher at noon in summer than in latitude. Climate can also change
Australia, are well known. Mild winter and daylight to extend for a markedly from one valley to the next,
climate areas do not justify longer period in summer. by the orientation of a slope or by
completely underground buildings; It is important to be aware of the the effect of prevailing winds. An
intimate knowledge of the particular
climate of the area in which a house
Equin
ox is to be built is therefore of immense
er benefit in designing appropriately for
mm Zenith
Su that location.

Australian climate types can be

W
in
te

summarised as follows:
r

W N ■ Tropical humid: high humidity

Altitudes summer, warm winter includes
at noon
the remainder of the north-
western, northern and north-
eastern coastline of Australia and
is characterised by high humidity
an
ridi

during the wet season and

Me

Observer
moderately high daytime
Winter temperatures throughout the year.
Azmuth ■ Sub-tropical: warm humid
at sunrise
Eq
summer, mild winter includes the
uin
ox coastal area extending from the
Su

northern NSW coast, through

mm
er

Brisbane, to Mackay.
S E
■ Hot arid summer, warm winter
and hot arid summer, mild winter
Figure 10 Pattern of sun’s seasonal movement where there is a wide range of

Page 6 - Briefing 09 APRIL 2003

Cold winds
Trees to shield
against wind

Solar heat gain in winter

Deciduous (thermal mass)
shade trees
Pergola

Wall to shade
against late
summer sun

B B F

Creepers on wall
B

K D L carport

Figure 11 Planning for temperate zones

KANGALOON HOUSE
Insulated high thermal mass interior showing internal concrete block walls by Boral Besser, honed face alabaster mix.
The concrete slab on ground, insulated with rigid PVC to 1.4 m around the perimeter, was polished and sealed by the builder.

Architect Peter Stronach, Allen Jack + Cottier in assocation with Tim Allison and Associates
Structural Engineer Taylor Thompson Whitting
Building Type Residence. Two storey, detached
Climate Warm Temperate
Photography Peter Hyatt
Awards Francis Greenway Society Green Building Awards, 2002 Gold Medal

Kangaloon House: Outdoor Terrace

adjacent to living area with verandah
providing climate protection and
summer shading to the residence.

Briefing 09 APRIL 2003 - Page 7

 temperature in summer, with very
high daytime temperatures of 35
to 40°C and cooler night-time
Extract ventilation
conditions of 20 to 25°C with
varying breezes. Locations such
as Alice Springs can benefit
significantly from passive solar cross-
design coupled with high thermal ventilation

mass construction.
Sunlight
■ Warm temperate characterised
by hot summers and cool to
chilly but generally sunny winters
Natural cross-
Major urban centres located in light ventilation
this zone include Perth, Adelaide
and Sydney.
■ Mild temperate consisting of the
coastal areas from the south of Figure 12 Ventilation strategies
Adelaide through to Melbourne
and further around the coast to efficient for both winter heating and Hot arid climates demand
the south of Wollongong. summer cooling. This orientation massive construction with ability to
Additionally, west southern coastal allows for maximum glazing to the night purge with cool breezes and
areas from Albany to Pemberton north and minimum east-west cross ventilation to re-charge the
and inland from Esperance to the exposure to morning and afternoon thermal mass for the following day.
south of Belladonia. Inland areas sun Figure 11. Humid climates demand a focus on
of South Australia, Victoria and This does not mean that all cross-ventilation, particularly in
New South Wales are also buildings must be so oriented. the bedrooms Figures 12, 13 and 14.
included. Summer temperatures Different building shapes can be
generally average at about 270C designed which satisfy the particular Inside Spaces
and so the demand for cooling is problems of each site by using the When the location, general
low although designs must shape of the building, number of orientation and shape of the building
prevent overheating in summer. levels, and particularly effective is decided, the organisation of
There is however a universal need glazing including the use of interior spaces is the next
for winter heating. clerestory windows and roof lights, consideration. In temperate climates
■ Cool temperate including most of combined with adequate shading. living spaces should be placed along
Tasmania, inland western district
of Victoria, some areas of the Snowy
Mountains and central tablelands of Courtyard walls screen
against wind and dust
NSW, Canberra, and the Victorian
High Range Country. The major
design consideration is winter Outdoor living

heating, but it is also important Pergola with

to avoid overheating in summer. adjustable
shading
■ Alpine areas are limited to high
Massive
altitude areas of Tasmania, Small windows construction
Victorian High Range Country, K D L
Snowy Mountains and the central
tablelands of NSW.

A thorough knowledge of the Courtyard for Sliding doors

micro-climate of a particular site, the evening use for breeze

direction of cooling summer breezes,

cold winter winds, wind-borne dust,
etc should be the most important Lightweight
Garage B B B construction
influence on design and are
summarised below.

Planning Garage shades wall

from late afternoon sun
In temperate climates buildings that
are longer in the east-west than in
the north-south direction are more Figure 13 Planning for hot arid zones

Page 8 - Briefing 09 APRIL 2003

Trees to
shield from
wind

Vertical shading

Bulk-insulated
L F wall

Bulk-
insulated Privacy screen Ceiling fans
wall

D K
Carport
B B B

Opening panels or louver walls

for cross-ventilation

Figure 14 Planning for sub-tropical humid zones

MULLUMBIMBY HOUSE
High thermal mass internal elements include concrete floor slab, concrete fireplace hearth, concrete panel walling. Additionally
handmade Balinese temple blocks seen in the foreground were hand tamped in a traditional high-repeat use mould.

Architect Chris Barnett, Sustainable Built Environments

Structural Engineer Phil Wallace
Building Type Residence. Two storey, detached
Climate Sub-tropical Humid
Photography Rod Bell

Briefing 09 APRIL 2003 - Page 9

 the north face of the building. Least ■ West-facing walls should also mass - then comfortable living
occupied spaces - such as storage have minimal windows and be conditions will be achieved, resulting
areas, circulation areas and garages shaded with external awnings, in reduced demand on energy for
- should be placed along the south verandahs or deciduous space heating or cooling.
where they act as a buffer between vegetation against the penetration
living space and the cooler southern of the low summer afternoon sun. The following are various passive
wall. Rooms that may benefit from ■ In temperate and cold climates all design concepts worthy of
morning sunlight, like bedrooms, openings in a wall such as consideration when building in
bathrooms or kitchen areas should windows, doors or any other temperate regions of Australia:
be on the east wall. However, penetration should be sealed ■ Use insulated concrete elements
children's bedrooms can benefit from around their perimeter to prevent such as slab-on-ground floors, wall
northern sunlight if they are to be seepage of air (infiltration). panels, ceiling/roof slabs and
used extensively for play or study. The front and rear entry suspended upper storey floors to act
Attention should always be given to doors, because of their frequent as exposed internal thermal mass;
particular local climatic conditions. use, deserve special ■ Plan for maximum north
consideration. Infiltration around orientation of windows with
Walls, Windows and Doors the frames may be controlled shading strategies for
Internal walls can add substantially with self-adhesive sponge or warmers months;
to the thermal mass of a building. mohair strips and a draught- ■ If a concrete slab is to be covered
External walls should act as excluder bar at the threshold. By with applied finishes, provide hard
insulation surrounding thermally recessing entry doors, protection surfaces such as tiles;
massive internal elements. against prevailing winds ■ Carefully design sunshading such
Windows are necessary for light improves the performance of the as eaves, verandahs or building
and ventilation and play an important door sealing. The planning of a overhangs and provide windows
role in the collection and retention of small enclosed space or entry with blinds or curtain;
solar radiant energy. In each wall, vestibule may be considered to ■ Reduce windows in walls other
however, they need to be treated act as an air lock, preventing than north-facing or specify as
differently. further losses, especially in cool double glazing;
■ North-facing walls have the temperate climates. For rear ■ Plant deciduous trees and shrubs
greatest potential exposure to doors, a laundry may provide this for summer shade;
sunlight with ample heat- vestibule space. ■ Consider earth sheltered
absorbing and storage material construction; and
behind the glass. However, they Conclusion ■ Consider extending the thickened
must be provided with appropriate Most of Australia's population lives in area of the northern slab edge
sunshading devices such as eaves temperate Australia with smaller where sunlight falls.
to allow winter sun penetration seasonal climatic variations and
but exclude summer sun. consequently low heating and cooling These two points are true for all
■ Full-height glazing in the northern costs compared to Europe or North Australian climates;
wall of a house is often provided America. Significant increases in the ■ Insulate the edges of the concrete
by sliding glass doors opening capital cost to buildings to save slab-on-ground in severe cold
onto a patio or verandah. energy are unnecessary where climate areas;
■ East-facing walls may have a few design incorporates passive solar ■ Foster plentiful foliage around
windows intended to catch techniques that require little or no southern summer air intakes.
morning sunlight that can be extra capital outlay. Climate
pleasant in any season in a responsive techniques can also be
temperate climate, however applied to those areas where climatic
north-east orientation should be changes are most extreme,
used judiciously it is a potential by including modifications such as
source of excessive solar gain in particular attention to ventilation in
summer months. humid areas, or double glazing, extra
■ South-facing walls never get insulation and heavy curtains on
useful direct sunlight in temperate areas of extreme cold in winter.
Australia. As a result the south If buildings are correctly planned
walls should have only the with regard to orientation and solar
minimum area of windows penetration, and the most
required for lighting, ventilation advantageous materials are then
and to admit cooling summer selected and used with an
breezes or double glazing if the understanding of their physical
views are to the south. properties - particularly thermal

Page 10 - Briefing 09 APRIL 2003

 TIME OF THE YEAR 22 Dec
16 Jan (summer solstice)
Arrows show
direction of
travel of 26 Feb
27 Nov
sun

21 Mar

Eq
17 Oct

ui
no
14 April

x 23 Sept
LATITUDE (degrees)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
26 May 31 Aug
0.00

19 July 0.05
21 June
(winter solstice)
0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

COEFFICIENT, C
0.30

E 0.35

0.40

0.45
0.50
0.55
0.60
E=CxH
0.65
H Where 0.70
C = Coefficient
from the chart 0.75
0.80
0.85
0.90
0.95
1.00

Example, 5° latitude ■

Darwin ■

Cairns ■

Townsville ■

Mackay ■ Mount Isa ■ Port Hedland ■

Rockhampton ■ Alice Springs ■

Brisbane ■

Geraldton ■

Port Macquarie ■ Tamworth ■ Kalgoorlie ■

Broken Hill ■ Perth ■

Newcastle ■ Whyalla ■ Bunbury ■

Sydney ■ Bathurst ■

Canberra ■ Wagga Wagga ■ Adelaide ■ Albany ■

Albury ■

Bendigo ■

Melbourne ■

Launceston ■

Figure 15 Eaves overhang design chart Hobart ■

Briefing 09 APRIL 2003 - Page 11

09
APR
2003 C&CAA OFFICES

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Australia, 2002. POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO Box 229
Kell, D. (ed.), Energy Saving Using Fullarton SA 5063
Passive Solar Design - G71, Cement Phillips, R. O., (6th Edition) Sunshine TELEPHONE: (61 8) 8274 3758
and Concrete Association of and Shade in Australia; Technical FACSIMILE: (61 8) 8373 7210

Australia, 1994. Report 92/2, CSIRO Division of WEBSITE: www.concrete.net.au

Building Construction and EMAIL: [email protected]
REFERENCES Engineering, 1992.
EDITOR: Lorina Nervegna

Glass, J., Fabric Energy Storage with Roaf, S., Fuentes, M. & Thomas, S., DESIGN & PRODUCTION: FFTdesign
Precast Concrete, Oxford Centre for Ecohouse: A Design Guide, ILLUSTRATIONS: Don Friend
PRINTING: Headland Press
Sustainable Development, Oxford Architectural Press, 2001.
Brookes University, 2000. Disclaimer: The Association is a not for profit
organisation sponsored by the cement industry
Ballinger J A et al, Energy Efficient in Australia to provide information on the many
Vale, B. & Vale, R. 2000, The Australian Housing, Secondary uses of cement and concrete. This briefing is
distributed by the Association for that purpose.
Autonomous House, Thames and Edition, Australian Government Since the information provided is intended for
Hudson. Publishing Service, 1992. general guidance only and in no way replaces
the services of professional consultants on
particular projects, no legal liability can be
Thomas, G. & Donn, M., Designing accepted by the Association for its use.

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