HOME | CONTACT US | SUBMIT A PROFILE
Chez Soleil - The Sun House Overview - Homes Across America Search Return Chez Soleil - The Sun House Overview - Homes Across America Search Return

Chez Soleil - The Sun House



OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

Demonstration-Home
Marketable-Home

 17%
26%
3%
20%
14%
14%
6%

(This house reported 35 resource efficient features.
Percentages above indicate the distribution of features and total 100%)

GOALS

  • To build a resource efficient, off-the-grid solar home, with no connected public utilities other than a phone line.
  • To use the home to generate performance data that would document how well the home's design and materials performed to keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter.
Chez Soleil - its rooftop solar collectors and water heater have excellent views.

HOME DETAILS

  • Location: Austin, Texas
  • Climate Zone: Hot-Humid
  • Type of Project: New Construction
  • Home Completed: 2000
  • Setting: rural
  • Energy Source: - solar - propane - wood burning
  • Layout: Single-Family; 3 bedroom; Attached garage
  • Lot Size: 4 acre
  • Square Footage: 3000
  • Sales Market: Middle-income
  • Cost/Square Foot: $ 50.00

PRIMARY CONTACT

Paul Breaux, Physicist/Solar Consultant and Designer
Breaux Consulting
- Builder - Designer - Homeowner

Phone: (512) 249-1976
Email: pbreaux@myway.com

SPECIAL INFORMATION

According to Paul Breaux, a physicist, Chez Soleil performs much better than he expected. The home's temperature is comfortable year around, there is little home maintenance and operating expense, and the many people who tour the home can see and feel the benefits of "green" construction. Chez Soleil has been written up in several publications including Environmental Design & Construction, the Austin American-Statesman, Southern Living, and Solar Today. Chez Soleil was selected by the American Solar Energy Society for the society's solar home tours, and was featured at the 23rd National Passive Solar Conference.

Paul Breaux, an engineer and solar energy design consultant, is a frequent presenter at renewable energy conferences. He also periodically teaches solar design classes at the University of Texas. He consults mainly for people in the Texas region who are interested in passive and active solar house design, with an emphasis on cooling strategies. To arrange a tour of Chez Soleil, contact Paul at pbreaux@hotmail.com.

Southfacing windows and high thermal mass walls and floors made the home an ideal solar collector.

The main rainwater collection tank.

This showcase is for educational and informational purposes. It is meant to provide ideas and contacts for further assistance. We do not endorse particular products or services. It is the responsibility of the user to check references and facts prior to making use of the information.

The contents of this website are public information and may not be copyrighted in any form, sold or used for profit in any way. The information within the showcase may only be printed when this notice is included and credit is given to the Peaks to Prairies Pollution Prevention Information Center and the individuals cited in each home profile.