Passive solar heating, also known as passive solar design can contribute to the heating and cooling of your house through your windows, walls, and floors. They are designed to absorb, store, and distribute energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer.
- The building should be elongated on an east-west axis. Solar south is optimal
- The building’s south face should receive sunlight between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.
- Interior spaces requiring the most light and heating and cooling should be along the south face of the building. Less used spaces should be located on the north.
- An open floor plan optimizes passive system operation.
- Use overhangs designed to prevent summer sun overheating the house
- High energy efficient South facing glass to invite the sun in and block the loss of heat
- Use of Thermal mass to absorb, store, and reradiate heat into the interior of your home
Benefits of Passive Solar Heating
- Inexpensive way to heat your home
Risks of Passive Solar Heating
- Not having correct shading can cause a pizza oven effect inside the house, very hot by day & very cold by night