Passive Solar Straw Bale House Plans
Passive solar design is an energy efficient way to build a home. Learn about this innovative building method with these passive solar straw bale house plan designs!
Passive solar design uses the sun’s heat to warm the interior of a structure during winter months, while keeping the interior cool in summer. Straw bale homes utilizing this system of design will require less heating, and cooling, and will reduce electricity bills. Straw bales are used as exterior walls and provide a “super” insulation.
In the wintertime, when outside temperatures drop and the sun is low in the sky, the sun is allowed to enter the house through the south facing windows. It is best to have a concrete slab or earthen floor or some other form of thermal mass, to capture and store the suns heat throughout the day. When night comes and the temperatures fall, the heat generated during the day then radiates in the house keeping it warm and comfortable. The straw bale walls keep the interior temperature stabilized and in equilibrium during this 24 hour period.
In the summertime, when the outside temperatures rise and the sun is high in the sky, the sun is unable to enter through the south facing windows via overhangs above the windows, designed to the angle of the sun. The thermal mass, is then without a heat source and kept cool via the ambient temperature of the earth below. The straw bale walls are acting in twofold. First they are keeping the hot summer temps outside and second, they are keeping the cooler non heated air, inside. Having cross ventilation via Ceiling fans and windows strategically opened and closed will keep the air flowing and the temperature stabilized.
So how can you live in a passive solar straw bale house? Here is a list and a brief description of some of the passive solar straw bale house plans that are available on my site. Also, they are all modifiable to suit the needs of you and your loved ones.
3 Bedroom + Office / 2 Full Bath
At 1916 square feet, this 3 bedroom plus office and 2 full bathroom straw bale home is super efficient and straightforward. High vaulted entry with upper clerestory windows light up the open living room, kitchen with eating island, and dining room. This open and naturally lit common space is flanked by a Master bedroom suite and separate office on one side, and two bedrooms with a full bathroom, and a separate laundry room with outside access on the other side. Perfect for a growing family looking for privacy along with open common space for hanging out.
Want to make some modifications to the plans?
Mirror the floor plan? Adjust Room sizes? Add a porch?
When you click “Add to Cart” you will be able to list any modifications you wish to make prior to your purchase.