Passive principles: choosing your system
Passive solar space heating features (new homes or retrofits) are discussed emphasizing: (1) direct gain (south facing windows; (2) Trombe walls (or water walls); and (3) sunspace (attached greenhouse). Homes in Nashville, Denver, and Boston are considered equipped with each of the above 3 features. Performance is evaluated as total energy savings due to the addition of the solar feature divided by the total passive system area (Btu/ft/sup 2/). A typical well-insulated home is chosen as a model. Calculations are based on the Solar Load Ratio method. It is concluded that: (1) there is very little difference in annual energy contributions from direct gain (DG), sunspace (SS) or Trombe walls (TW) if the systems have night insulation; (2) without night insulation, TW and SS generally perform better than DG; (3) in warm climates (e.g. Nashville) SS is more effective because the SS can be thermally uncoupled from the house; (4) DG is a good choice for small aperture passive systems because it is inexpensive and provides light and ventilation; (5) TW is a good choice for additional aperture in excess of 6 to 8% of the floor area; and (6) SS is desirable in that relatively high cost is balanced by increased floor area provided. (MJJ)
- OSTI ID:
- 5554737
- Journal Information:
- Sol. Age; (United States), Journal Name: Sol. Age; (United States) Vol. 6:12; ISSN SOAGD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Denver: trendsetter in solar homes
Passive principles: conservation first
Related Subjects
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
AESTHETICS
ATTACHED GREENHOUSES
BUILDINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DIRECT GAIN SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
GREENHOUSES
HEATING SYSTEMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
THERMAL COMFORT
THERMAL INSULATION
TROMBE WALLS
WALLS