Passive solar heating is considered the most cost-effective residential heating choice. Unlike active solar heating, the passive method collects and transfers heat without the help of pumps or mechanical devices. This makes passive heating cost less and require little to no maintenance. A good alternative for homeowners looking to “go solar” from the ground up.
Passive solar heating works through the strategic placement and selection of building elements. With indirect gain, passive solar heating, solar heat is collected in one area and transferred to a wider space using natural convection. Examples of this method include water walls, roof ponds, Trombe walls, sunrooms, and greenhouses. Here’s a brief description of how each of these indirect gain options work.
Water walls – Located in a vented masonry wall, water walls are situated between the sun and an interior space. These specially constructed plastic or sealed concrete containers are filled with water. As that water is heated, heat radiates through the wall via the convection process.
Trombe wall – Trombe walls are similar to water walls. Rather than a water-filled container, an 8- to 16-inch masonry wall absorbs solar heat with the help of an insulating glass layer on the outer side. The heat from the wall is then distributed to the indoors through a natural flow of air.
Roof ponds – Roof ponds consist of dark-colored, plastic water beds placed on the roof. They collect and store heat during the day. At night, the roof ponds are covered and radiate heat back into the home.
Sunrooms and greenhouses – Sunrooms and greenhouses are similar in that they consist of detached rooms that are designed to collect solar heat through windows and building materials. Greenhouse walls, for instance, can consist of thermal walls that absorb heat and help to warm the interior space. Heat from the greenhouse or sunroom can be transferred to the rest of the house via vents, ducts, doors, or other method.
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Trombe walls capture and store solar energy to be permiated in homes for later use. The then heated air is more comfortable than dry, forced air heat. Setting up a system is relatively inexpensive using a CalFinder Solar Contractor.… Read more »
You can expect energy savings in heating and cooling in the 70 to 90 percent range by using solar water walls.… Read more »
Roof ponds for solar purposes are black masses of water that collect and store solar energy to be radiated in the evenings.… Read more »
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