Passive Solar Home With Basement

I am designing a passive solar home with a basement. I live in Michigan and I am trying to minimize my heating needs.  It seems like a basement would help to keep the home warmer because the earth generally stays 50 degrees below the frost line.  If I insulate the exterior of the foundation walls and floor with 4" blue styrofoam, it would be similar to having a berm or underground home on the lower level and would be protected from wind and the cold climate.  

As I research details for my floor plan design and plans, I am finding very little about passive solar homes with basements.  Does anyone have any experience with basements in a passive solar home or know where I can get information on this subject? Thanks in advance.

I know the isodrän-system of insulating basements use up to 8" on the wall and I'de suggest insulating the floor as well. The isodran is really good at keeping moisture away from the wall witch is important. I think if you plan on rellying on a passive system you can never go too far.

Johan Svensson wrote:I know the isodrän-system of insulating basements use up to 8" on the wall and I'de suggest insulating the floor as well. The isodran is really good at keeping moisture away from the wall witch is important. I think if you plan on rellying on a passive system you can never go too far.

Johan, I looked up the system because it sounded interesting, but everything is in Swedish. Any tips for English information spots?

I cant seem to find it outside the nordic countries unfortunately. It uses a granulated XPS pellets molded to a board which lets watervapor out. It's really unfortunate since I think it's a really good system.

http://www.builditsolar.com/

this site has OODLES of information about everything from 'changing a lightbulb' to
building homes. and adding systems.

Gary, the owner of the site, keeps adding other folks' research and development and
experimentation.

You might find something there, or maybe send Gary an email.

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I might also suggest Mike Oehler's earth integrated way of building, which is available h
here on permies, and his own site. His ways of getting light air and views into a subterranean
area are great! and will help to keep your basement from being a dark cave.

many blessings to all.

One of my friends built the daylight basement using cement forms that are made of foam. They remain in place after the wall is poured. and insulate both to the earth and the room so the thermal transfer is very low.
By code I have to have an electric furnace but I heat with wood. My thermostat has both a heating and cooling setting. Summer and winter it is set for 73 cooling. In the summer if the south windows overheat the house it draws air from the 55 degree cement enclosed crawl space. When the wood stove overheats the main room the fan comes on and circulates the heat to the far rooms.
My conclusion is that with proper air handling design earth bermed rooms can be used for thermal storage.