Passive Solar Home in South East Texas?

Question

Would it be more of a liability to have a passive solar home in the Houston area? I haven't been able to find anything on these in this location and I wonder if they aren't a good idea because our "2 weeks of winter" doesn't call for this option in home design. I thought this design would allow for better cooling and shading. Am I wrong?

Do you have an idea for a non-traditional home design for this hot, humid region we live in? I love the look of Frank Lloyd Wright's work and that it's nothing like the cookie-cutter 2 story brick McMansions in our area.

Answer 1

There are a couple of "sample" homes in houston that were build for solar power. I saw two of them on one of the morning TV shows, so I know it can work for this area. The green channel on Direct TV has had some great home designs lately that use a lot of windows, breezeways, etc. They are all environmentally friendly, and most were in hot area, like sydney australia. Check it out if you get that channel.

Answer 2

Make sure that you do not over glaze. Your house could be miserable most of the year.

You might think about active solar water heater as an alternative. Water has one of the highest heat capacities of any substance. Even a moderate sized insulated tank would provide you with most of your hot water needs year round.  You could also optionally route copper water coils through either a slab floor or through your existing air ducts (turned on in the winter).

I think inexpensive solar panel system would easily pay for themselves in water heating alone.