The Experimental Solar House

Psychometric Chart with the monitored mean monthly internal temperatures and relative humidity.

The principal element of this research was the design, construction and monitored inhabitation of an Experimental Solar House (ESH) at Lefkosia, taking into account the potential of the well established principles of Passive Solar Design when applied to the specific cultural, economic and climatic contexts of Cyprus.


The research into thermal comfort concluded that, for Cyprus, an average 19.5 - 29° is an acceptable temperature and an average of 20-75% is the acceptable range of relative humidity. It is concluded that it is impossible to accurately specify final temperatures and RH for the average person because of the psychological, physiological and practical factors.


It is concluded that the passive systems that are most suited for Cyprus are: Direct Gain, external insulation on walls (0.6W/m2K) and roof (0.3W/m2K), low emmisivity double-glazed argon-filled, interior thermal storage constructed from bricks and concrete, 5% north wall openings are sufficient for cross ventilation during summer nights, optimum of south wall openings 18%, permanent external shading devices, vegetation, use of natural ventilation and ceiling fans.


Comparative annual energy use of the ESH versus traditional house, contemporary house and a low energy case was performed using computer simulation software Energy 10. The annual energy use of the ESH (121KWh/m2) is less than the contemporary house (368 kWh/m2) and the traditional (243 kWh/m2). Through monitoring the ESH the results show that all heating requirements are satisfied by solar energy, while natural ventilation or ceiling fans meet all the cooling needs, concluding that Passive Solar Design may be successfully applied in the design of modern buildings in Cyprus.


Because of Lefkosia’s climate, passive solar architecture works to its full capacity. This means that, a passive solar house has 100% energy saving potential. This theory has not remained at its conceptual stage as the Experimental Solar House has demonstrated it in practice.

Internal and external monitored temperatures for the year 2000

Internal and external monitored temperatures for the year 2001