NCJ Number
66024
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
BASIC ELEMENTS OF SOLAR ENERGY HEATING ARE DESCRIBED IN THIS INTRODUCTORY BOOKLET WHICH EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ACTIVE AND PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS AND THE ADVANTAGES OF EACH.
Abstract
PROPER ORIENTATION OR SITING OF A BUILDING ON A PARTICULAR AXIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE HOMEOWNER CONSIDERING SOLAR HEATING. THE HOUSE SHOULD FACE WITHIN 30 DEGREES OF THE SOUTH (BETWEEN SOUTH-SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH-SOUTHEAST) WITH DUE SOUTH PREFERRED. THE HOMEOWNER SHOULD ALSO CONSIDER THE THERMAL INERTIA OR HEAT STORAGE AND ABSORPTION PROPERTIES OF MASONRY WHICH CAN BOOST THE POWER OF ANY SOLAR SYSTEM. POSSIBLE DISADVANTAGES OF SOLAR SYSTEMS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT INCLUDE INSTALLATION COSTS, DESIGN COMPLEXITY, TAX ASSESSMENT DIFFICULTIES, STORAGE MEDIUM PROBLEMS, AND THE GENERAL DISADVANTAGES OF TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A SYSTEM IN AN AREA WHERE SERVICE, REPAIRS, AND STANDARDS ARE STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT. ACTIVE OR INDIRECT SOLAR SYSTEMS ARE THE MORE COMPLEX BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE SEPARATE COLLECTION AND STORAGE DEVICES AND A MECHANICAL MEANS TO MOVE HEAT THROUGH THE HOUSE. PASSIVE SYSTEMS IN WHICH THERMAL ENERGY FLOWS NATURALLY BY THERMOSIPHONING WORK WELL IN AREAS NOT ORDINARILY SUITED TO SOLAR HEATING BECAUSE A PASSIVE SYSTEM TAKES IN HOWEVER MUCH OR LITTLE SUN IS SHINING AT THE TIME, BUT DO, HAVE GREATER HEAT LOSSES. CLIMATE AND EASE OF CONSTRUCTION ARE FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN DECIDING BETWEEN AIR OR WATER STORAGE FOR ANY SYSTEM. RESOURCES FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION AND LITERATURE ON SOLAR SYSTEMS AND FOR FINDING LISTS OF EXPERIENCED ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS ARE PROVIDED. A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOLAR DEVELOPMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES INCLUDES EXAMPLES OF SEVEN SOLAR-HEATED HOUSES IN THE U.S., CANADA, FRANCE, AND ENGLAND. (AOP)