This passive solar home located near Viroqua Wisconsin gains much of its heat from the sun and a woodstock, resulting in very low utility bills for the owner.

VIROQUA SUN-TEMPERED HOME

General Contractor: John Karlstad

This home near Viroqua takes advantage of its gently sloping site with a walkout basement. The main living spaces and covered porch face the south for passive solar gain, with overhangs sized to block the sun in the summer. Special features include a breakfast nook with windows on two sides and a blue soapstone woodstove in the center of the main level. Between the solar heat gain and the heat from the woodstove, the owners spent less than $100 on propane for the entire year, which included not only heating the house but also cooking.