Passive Solar Guidelines for Northern New Mexico

• Window sizing:
  • North and East: 4%
  • West: 2%
  • South: 7% (without mass), 12% (with mass)
• Indirect Gain (trombe wall):
  • Up to 8% more
• Insulation (minimum values):
  • Walls: R=21
  • Ceiling: R=34
  • Perimeter: R=15
  • Basement: R=13
• Thermal Mass Thickness: ~ 4 inches
• Thermal Mass Area:
  • 6-8 times south glazing area
  • Sunlit massive floor: Add 1 ft² glazing for each 5.5 ft²
  • Line of sight mass: Add 1 ft² glazing for each 8.3 ft²
  • Non-line of sight mass: Add 1 ft² glazing for each 40 ft².
• Thermal Mass Color:
  • dark floors
  • light walls, except if massive walls are < 1/2
  • light ceilings
• Overhangs:
  • Full shading for six weeks in summer
  • Full sun for six weeks in winter