Introduction
Passive solar heating is a type of solar energy technology used to heat homes and buildings.
Unlike active solar heating, which uses mechanical or electrical devices to convert the sun's energy into heat, it relies on the sun to capture, store and distribute solar energy.
The system can supplement or replace traditional forms of heating, such as furnaces and boilers.
When combined with other energy-efficient technologies, passive solar heating can help reduce a home or building's energy consumption and operating costs.
How It Works
Passive solar heating relies on the sun’s natural movement and materials’ properties to capture, store and distribute solar energy.
The sun's energy is captured by specially-designed features called "collectors" and "absorbers."
Passive solar heating systems employ building components to absorb, store and distribute solar heat gains to lower the demand for space heating.
A passive solar heating system does not require mechanical equipment since heat is transferred by natural channels such as radiation, convection, and conductance, and the structure provides thermal storage.
Passive Solar Heating vs. Passive Solar Cooling
Passive solar heating and passive solar cooling are two different approaches to using the sun's energy to improve the comfort of a home or building.
Passive solar heating captures the sun's energy and converts it into heat, while passive solar cooling reflects the sun's energy away from a home or building.
Both passive solar heating and passive solar cooling can improve the energy efficiency of a home or building, but they are not typically used together.
Key Components
There are four key components of passive solar heating: aperture (collector), absorber, thermal mass, and distribution.
Aperture (Collector)
The aperture is the opening in a Passive Solar Heating system that allows the sun's energy to enter.
An aperture can be a window, skylight, or door.
The aperture's size, shape, and location will determine how the Passive Solar Heating system captures much solar energy.
Absorber
The absorber is a black or dark-colored material that absorbs the sun's energy and converts it into heat.
The heat from the absorber is then stored in the thermal mass.
Thermal mass
Thermal mass is a material, such as concrete, brick, or stone that can store heat.
The thermal mass of a Passive Solar Heating system helps regulate the temperature inside a home or building by absorbing and releasing heat as needed.
Thermal mass can be used to store heat during the day to be released at night when the outside temperature is cooler.
Distribution
A Passive Solar Heating system distributes the heat from the absorber to the rest of the home or building.
The distribution system can be a forced-air system, a water-based system, or a radiant floor system.
Control
Passive Solar Heating systems need to be designed and installed correctly to work properly.
In addition, they need to be maintained correctly to continue to work efficiently.
The control of a Passive Solar Heating system can be manual or automatic.
- Manual control means that the user must adjust the system manually to change the amount of heat generated.
- Automatic control means that the Passive Solar Heating system is controlled by a thermostat or other device that automatically adjusts the system based on the outside temperature.
Passive Solar Heating Approaches
There are four main approaches to Passive Solar Heating: sun-tempered, direct gain, indirect gain, and isolated gain.
Sun-tempered Passive Solar Heating
It is the simplest and most common type of Passive Solar Heating. It uses the sun's energy to help regulate the temperature inside a home or building.
Sun-tempered Passive Solar Heating may be utilized at any temperature; however, it is most successful in temperate regions.
Direct Gain Passive Solar Heating
Direct gain Passive Solar Heating uses the sun's energy to heat a home or building directly. Windows capture the sun's energy and then transfer it to the interior of the house or building.
Direct gain Passive Solar Heating is most effective in climates that are not too hot or cold.
Indirect Gain Passive Solar Heating
Indirect gain Passive Solar Heating indirectly uses the sun's energy to heat a home or building. The sun's energy is captured by an aperture, such as a skylight and then transferred to the thermal mass.
The heat from the thermal mass is then distributed to the rest of the home or building.
Indirect gain Passive Solar Heating is most effective in climates that are not too hot or too cold.
Isolated Gain Passive Solar Heating
Isolated gain Passive Solar Heating indirectly uses the sun's energy to heat a home or building. The sun's energy is captured by an aperture, such as a window and then transferred to the thermal mass.
The heat from the thermal mass is then distributed to the rest of the home or building through pipes. Isolated gain Passive Solar Heating is most effective in climates that are not too hot or too cold.
Application of Passive Solar Heating
Passive Solar Heating can be used in any climate, but it is most effective in not too hot or too cold climates.
Passive Solar Heating can be used to heat a home, office, or other building. It can also be used to heat water for domestic use or swimming pools and can also be used to dry food or clothes.
Passive solar heating solutions should be employed only when necessary. Passive solar heating is more effective in smaller structures when the exterior design regulates energy consumption.
This indicates a place that isn't already overheated from people, lights, computers, and other sources of internal heat buildup.
There are strategies, such as Trombe walls, to reduce undesirable glare and excessive heat gain, but caution must be exercised when integrating solar heat into workstations.
Passive solar heating is commonly employed in circulation areas such as lobbies and atriums, corridors, break rooms, and other places with minimal internal heat gain that allows users to move out of the sun.
Advantages of Passive Solar Heating
Passive Solar Heating has many advantages.
A Renewable Energy Source
Passive Solar Heating is a renewable energy source, and it does not produce pollution or emit greenhouse gases.
Inexpensive
It is an inexpensive way to heat a home or building, and it does not require any special equipment or training to install or use.
Cost-Effective
The system is a cost-effective way to heat a home or building, and it can save money on heating costs. It is also easy to maintain and can last a long time with proper maintenance.
Limitations of Passive Solar Heating
Passive Solar Heating has some limitations.
- It is not suitable for all climates. It is most effective in climates that are not too hot or cold.
- It is not ideal for all types of buildings. Passive Solar Heating works best in smaller buildings with excellent exposure to the sun.
- It can be challenging to control the temperature in a Passive Solar Heated home or building. The temperature can fluctuate depending on the weather and the time of day.
The Bottom Line
Passive Solar Heating is a method of using the sun's energy to heat a home or building. The sun's energy is captured by an aperture, such as a skylight and then transferred to the thermal mass. The heat from the thermal mass is then distributed to the rest of the home or building.
It is most effective in climates that are not too hot or too cold. It can heat a home, office, or other building. It can also be used to heat water for domestic use or for swimming pools. Moreover, it can also be used to dry food or clothes.
There are many advantages to Passive Solar Heating, including that it is a renewable energy source, inexpensive, and easy to install and maintain. However, it also has some limitations, such as difficulty controlling the temperature.
Suppose you are considering using Passive Solar Heating in your home or building. In that case, weighing the advantages and disadvantages is important to see if it is the right solution for you.
FAQs
1. What is Passive Solar Heating?
Passive Solar Heating is a method of using the sun's energy to heat a home or building.
2. How does Passive Solar Heating work?
The sun's energy is captured by an aperture, such as a skylight and then transferred to the thermal mass. The heat from the thermal mass is then distributed to the rest of the home or building.
3. What are the benefits of Passive Solar Heating?
There are many advantages to Passive Solar Heating, including that it is a renewable energy source, inexpensive, and easy to install and maintain.
4. What are the limitations of Passive Solar Heating?
The main limitation of Passive Solar Heating is that it can be challenging to control the temperature.
5. Is Passive Solar Heating right for me?
Passive Solar Heating is most effective in climates that are not too hot or too cold. It can heat a home, office, or other building. It can also be used to heat water for domestic use or for swimming pools. Moreover, it can also be used to dry food or clothes.
