Passive solar: yesterday is tomorrow

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Sunset; (United States)

OSTI ID:5496256

The components and operation of passive solar heating systems in buildings are reviewed. The primary components required are glazing and thermal mass. In direct gain systems, sunlight penetrates the living space through windows and stores heat in the structure or in water containers. Indirect systems utilize storage directly behind the glazed surface for heating by natural convection in the day and radiation at night. Retrofit systems include attached greenhouses on south walls, dark blinds behind glazing, window box heaters, dark paint on south walls, and water filled containers. Suitable thermal storage materials include stone or concrete, which store 30 Btus/ft/sup 3/, masonry, adobe, and water. These materials also assist in summer cooling by removing heat from the living space.

• OSTI ID: 5496256
• Journal Information: Sunset; (United States), Journal Name: Sunset; (United States) Vol. 162:2; ISSN SNSTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
ATTACHED GREENHOUSES
BUILDING MATERIALS
BUILDINGS
CONVECTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY STORAGE
EQUIPMENT
GLAZING MATERIALS
GREENHOUSES
HEAT STORAGE
HEATING SYSTEMS
MATERIALS
NATURAL CONVECTION
PASSIVE SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
RETROFITTING
REVIEWS
SOLAR COOLING SYSTEMS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
STORAGE
THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
THERMAL MASS