Introduction
Climate of Cyprus
Questionnaire
Techniques Used in Historical and Traditional Houses
Comfort Zone of Cyprus
Passive Solar Systems
Construction Decisions
Monitoring of the Experimental Solar House
Conclusions
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Passive Solar Architecture in Cyprus
Introduction
This research is set out to demonstrate that passive solar architecture is a viable energy-saving concept that can be applied in the context of Cyprus. A principal aim of the research was to develop an understanding of the criteria for an appropriate passive solar architecture that is sensitive to both energy use and climatic conditions. The Experimental Solar House, supported by this research, is a pioneering project to Cyprus, and shows that passive solar architecture functions in an energy-saving manner is cost-efficient.
In the execution of the research the following parameters were studied:
- The climate of Cyprus
- The comfort zone of the average Cyprus person
- Examples of historical and traditional housing
- The energy uses of the island.
The results of these studies show that passive solar design is an appropriate energy-saving strategy for Cyprus. The Experimental Solar House was constructed in order to put the theories developed in the research into practice. Monitoring the Experimental Solar House, led to various conclusions in relation to its performance and to indications for further development and improvement.
This research was fundamentally specified for Cyprus for the following reasons:
- Cyprus has no energy resources of its own. Therefore, more than 94% of the total primary energy is imported to the island of which 15.1% of total annual energy consumption comprises in the residential sector with electricity at 34%, creating not only ecological imbalance but also serious financial government credit.
- Cyprus's climate guarantees 100% energy saving potential and therefore is a suitable starting point for the Experimental Solar House.
- End uses of energy in households are minimized. Water heating from 50% to 0%, space heating from 18% to 0%, lighting 24% from to 0%, cooking 3%, electrical appliances 3%.
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