My wife and I will be relocating to Spokane area in 2012 and will be building a small (1300 sq ft) A&C house on land there. I am interested in combining the A&C style with solar and energy efficiency. Does anyone have experience with this or know an architect with experience?

I don't have experience with solar, but did put geothermal heating/cooling into our 1928 bungalow. Since second floor was completely unfinished we were able to insulate walls and our attic area which has lead to increased energy efficiency. I would stress that if you're building new, insulate as much as possible. Here's a little about our geothermal:

Geothermal installation

Being from Fairbanks, Alaska and -50 I plan to build extremely tight and extremely well insulated. I am looking at geothermal for our heating/cooling and will follow your project closely. Since I am building new and tight I will also be able to install HRV for air exchange. I am looking at kit homes in the A&C style or, if I have to, will build stick frame with 8" walls. Thanks for your post

general A&C building ideas work well with passive solar technology. wide overhanging eaves, banks of glass, etc.

site angle is important to use the sun to best advantage.

also, newer solar collectors are much thinner,smaller and less obtrusive than the typical solar panel of a few years ago. you could also consider remote panels not directly applied to the structure.

energy efficient structure is a great consideration, with the improvements in window design (use real wood with appropriate muntins, etc), low impact recyclable materials, high efficiency hvac, radiant heat, all work well in the bungalow.

a good architect with sensibility to the period and to the technology is essential. the rest is just sound judgement.

quote:

Originally posted by don szymanksy:
general A&C building ideas work well with passive solar technology. wide overhanging eaves, banks of glass, etc.

Don of course is right about the original design being very conscious of solar energy. We run our air conditioning much less than the 1968 built home right next door due to the 3 foot eaves, window placement. etc.

Whenever possible I open every window at night in the summer and close all of first floor windows in the morning. This often keeps the house cool for most of the day. The guide I follow is open low windows on the cool side and high windows on the warm side to get a positive air flow. Our porch is always a comfortable place to sit.

Thom- we don't quite get to -50F the coldest I've experienced here was -30F. We do however always get over 100F for at least a few days every summer!

Best of luck in your project.