Z E M C H 2 0 1 2 I n t e r n a t i o n a l C o n f e r e n c e
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Figure 8: Pressured solar water heater on the sloped roof (Kalogirou 2005)
Space Heating and Cooling
In Cyprus, it is necessary to heat the space for the winter period which can be about 2-3
months. Before1990s, LPG and conventional fuels are the most popular space heating
fuels. Also, electricity was used as heating source but only few amounts. In the early
1990s, the new trend was central heating systems as a result of comfort and well-being
life. Most of these systems are also worked with LPG or oil. In the lately 1990s, air
conditions became more popular due to the low initial cost. However it is less
environmentally friendly when the electricity production considered in Cyprus and also
the fact that it is not convenient for well-being and comfort in the house. Unfortunately,
solar energy is not used for space heating or cooling which is possible and more
environmentally friendly. There are only few examples that solar energy is used as a
heating and cooling source (Michaelides 1991; Kalogirou 2005).
In Cyprus, cooling demand is one of the important aspects where it is needed about 6-7
months in the year. In the lately 1990s, air conditioners are widely started to be used as
cooling equipments. There are some examples of central heating and cooling systems
but for cooling the initial cost is quite high (Michaelides 1991; Kalogirou 2005). Mostly,
the central cooling systems are used for big scale buildings. According to the design of a
house, the cost of heating and cooling differed. The designers have the main
responsibility for this because the location of the house and also the right facades are so
important.
Evaluation of Environmentally Friendly House in Cyprus
The house is located in the Northern part of Cyprus in Kyrenia region. The owner of the
house is a German couple, Rica and Andreas Quensel. It was built in the early 1990s
which is the period that Cyprus is very unfamiliar with environmentally friendly buildings.
The house was designed by the owner’s important support due to their requirements.
The main feature of the house is that it is such an example for traditional Cypriot houses
and it is also a sustainable design at the same time. The plan of the house is U shaped
and single storey house with partly the basement floor where there is a slope on the field.
It was built by traditional Cypriot yellow stone with double wall system with gaps between
two walls. At the time while the house was built the windows and the doors were not
double glazed, but the owner of the house has changed them currently. The roof is
sloped wooden roof and it is well insulated according to the Cyprus climate. The inside of
the roof is covered by traditional material, bamboos. The outside of the roof is covered
by traditional marsilia (Marseille) tiles.
