I am trying to figure out what model I should be using to build a self-sufficient house, which would use passive solar heating to keep indoor temperature comfortable all year round (Location is Kathmandu Valley, Nepal).
I am however a bit confused because I have seen several models and bits of information that seem to be inconsistent.
For instance the Earthship model has a large south-facing glazing and is thermally massive. On the other hand the Eco Dome has quite some mass (but seemingly much less than the Earthship which is half buried) and no south-facing glass wall. Daniel Chiras on Green Home Building, explains the ratio of glazing to thermal mass should be a 7%, which seems to assume 4 inch thick mass. Now 4 inch seems very thin compared to the app. 20 inch of Eco Dome, even more so to compared to the Earthship.
High mass & large windows, low mass & small windows, low mass & small windows: my head is spinning. Could you help me clarify how much glazing to mass ratio should I go for to achieve optimal passive solar heating and why?
NB: independently from passive solar heating my preference in building structure goes for the super adobe method and dome structure, used in Eco Domes.
