What Is Passive Solar Heating? How Passive Solar Heating Works
What Is Passive Solar Heating? How Passive Solar Heating Works
What Is Passive Solar Heating? How Passive Solar Heating Works
Passive solar houses look like other homes but cost less to
run and are more comfortable to live in.
HOW PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING WORKS
Solar radiation is trapped by the greenhouse action of
correctly oriented (north facing) windows exposed to full
sun. Window frames and glazing type have a significant
effect on the efficiency of this process. [See: Glazing
Overview]
Trapped heat is absorbed and stored by materials with
high thermal mass (usually masonry) inside the house. It is
re-released at night when it is needed to offset heat losses
to lower outdoor temperatures. [See: Thermal Mass]
Passive shading allows maximum winter solar gain and
prevents summer overheating. This is most simply achieved
with northerly orientation of appropriate areas of glass and
well designed eaves overhangs. [See: Shading]
1/10
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
2/10
Tinted glass
Gas filled space
Solar radiation
absorbes and
This
convected
away
43% absorbed
and convected
away
Summer
reduces heat
5% Reflected
Winter
from 30% of 'H'
H
LOCATING HEATERS
Internal thermal mass walls are ideal for locating heaters
next to. Thermal lag will transfer heat to adjoining spaces
over extended periods. [See: Heating & Cooling]
External wall locations can result in additional heat loss,
as increasing the temperature differential between inside
and out increases the rate of heat flow through the wall.
Heaters should not be located under windows.
3/10
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
4/10
MULTI-STOREY HOMES
Avoid open balcony rails. They allow cool air to fall like a
waterfall into spaces below.
Use high insulation levels and lower (or no) thermal mass
at upper levels.
Source: SEAV
Up to R2.0 wall
insulation
Insulate cavity
brick walls
DRAUGHT SEALING
Source: SEAV
5/10
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
Summer sun
Winter sun
AIR LOCKS
Source: SEAV
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
6/10
Thickness mm
Concrete
250
6.9
Double Brick
220
6.2
AAC
200
7.0
Adobe
250
9.2
Rammed Earth
250
10.3
250
10.5
Sandy Loam
1000
30 days
7/10
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
8/10
Window shading
to suit aspect
Solar
clothes
dryer
Water saving in
bathroom, kitchen
and laundry
Insulated walls,
elevated floors
and roofs
Tiled slab
on floor
Existing house
Extension
East
West
South
L'DY
Patio
Covered patio
L'DY
Bed 2
Bed 2
Dining
KIT
Bath
Bath
Bed 1
Lounge
Bed 1
KIT
Dining
Lounge
Cooling
summer
breezes
Weatherboards
Suspended
concrete slab
Original
floor level
Existing floor
joist cut away
Permanent
formwork and
reinforcement
New beams
Existing brick
supporting
wall and
engaged piers
wall
frame
Existing
support
piers
wall
frame
Brick
veneer
suspended
concrete slab
Permanent
formwork and
reinforcement
9/10
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
1. 4 P a s s i v e s o l a r h e a t i n g
10/10
Existing glass
New glazing
bead
New glass
Existing
glass
12mm
air gap
modified sash/frame section
Principal author: Chris Reardon Contributing authors: Max Mosher & Dick Clarke