Design
PV Array: A supplemental array of solar panels will serve to power this unit for most of the year, with some exceptions on cloudy days. This PV array will also provide some additional power for the existing unit on the site, further reducing the energy consumption of the property.
Insulation: By utilizing the Vitruvian Building System in which rigid EPS foam insulation is integrated into the structure, a tight thermal envelope is achieved. With 6” walls and an 8” roof, this unit has R values of 28 for the walls and 36 for the roof.
Shading: With it’s hottest time of year being fall, fixed shading devices don’t function optimally in San Luis Obispo to control solar gain throughout the year. To mitigate this, an operable southern shading device is integrated into the roof overhang to maintain an added 33 days a year of comfort by passive solar control.
Glazing: With 32% of the southern face as glazing and limited east, west glazing and north glazing this unit is designed to perform optimally in this climate. Southern glazing is sufficient to utilize San Luis Obispo’s typically clear winter skies and comfortably heat itself via direct solar gain.
Radiant Heating: Though passive heating will often be sufficient to heat this unit, on some occasions cloud cover and extreme temperatures will stretch this ability. For those occasions a small radiant floor heating system is installed to guaranty residents are never left out in the cold.
Thermal Mass: To fully utilize the solar gain brought in by the southern glazing as well as mediate the significant diurnal temperature swings common to San Luis Obispo thermal mass is incredibly important. Though difficult in many prefab environments, this unit allows for an exposed 5” concrete slab floor as well as concrete counter tops to fill this need.
