About Passive Solar

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Remember to Design with the Sun in Mind 

 Passive Solar is not a new technology.  Ancient civilizations used this technology in 7 BC to light fires, torches and burn ants.  In the 1st - 4th Century's AD, the Roman's used it in Bathhouses with southward facing windows.  

Today in a green designed home, the sunlight can provide heat, light, shade and generate summertime ventilation.  Passive solar can reduce heating/cooling costs, lessen use of artificial daytime lighting and improve comfort.  Benefits accrue with very little maintenance. Now that's win-win situation!  
 

 
The Fundamentals of How Passive Solar Works
Passive Solar Heating, How Does it work?

 

 Active Passive Heating Systems consist of a maintenance free collection unit where the interior element collects and stores heat from exposure to the sun. This stored heat is then transferred from the interior of the unit and blown via a fan into a specified location to assist in warming the temperature.  

 HEAT STORAGE Thermal mass  (materials used to store heat) is an integral part of most passive solar system designs. Simple materials such as concrete, masonry, wallboard, and even water can be used to absorb heat on sunlit days.  As the temperature drops they can then slowly release stored heat.  Combine air flow circulation methods (e.g. a fan powered by solar photovoltaic panels) and now your talking FREE heat!  Passive Solar Unit fans can be powered via household current or self contained by incorporation of solar panels. This free heat is helping you to create a more comfortable living or working environment! Interested in learning how you benefit too? Call RJ @ RJ Construction to get a free quote!
Exactly how does heat move and how it can be stored? 

Heat moves from a warmer object to cooler ones until there is no longer a temperature  difference.  A passive solar designed home utilizes this same theory. 
Passive Solar Heating most often falls into one of the following categories

  • Direct Gain - directly penetrating solar radiation that is stored in a living space

  • Indirect Gain - collects, stores and distributes solar radiation via a thermal storage material which through transmission, radiation or convection (circulatory motion) distributes the energy indoors.

  • Isolated gain -  collects solar radiation in an area that can be selectively closed or opened to the rest of the home.
Popular types of Passive Solar
Passive Solar Space Heating   (Direct Gain)Passive Heat

This is best utilized in homes, offices and/or shops which have a southern exposure.  A good example would be southward facing windows and/or patio doors which allow the wintertime rays of sunshine into each room assisting the temperature to maintain warmth during the day light hours.

 
Passive Solar Heating   (Indirect Gain)Passive Solar Unit!

 This type of unit often uses some typical building materials constructed in such a manner that actually 'collect' and 'distribute' heat via natural means.  You can also incorporate mechanical equipment such as a fan, to blow the warm air into it's destination.

 

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