Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

CHAPTER 11Re n ewable EnergyPassive Solar Heating, Cooling, and Thermal Storage★ S I G N I F I CA N C E .Integration of passive solar heating, cooling, and thermal storage features, along withdaylighting, into a building can yield considerable energy benefits and added occupantcomfort. Incorporation of these items into the building design can lead to substantialreduction in the load requirements for building heating and cooling mechanical systems.The passive solar measures and mechanical systems need to be evaluated on ani n t e r a c t i v e basis during the design process, since an increase in one, can lead to a decreasein the other.AuthorLisa HeschongDirect gain through south-facing glass is the most common method of passive solar heating.Sunlight is admitted through the glazing into the space to be heated, and typicallyabsorbed by thermal mass materials. Other methods include indirect gain (e.g., using asunspace or atrium) and thermal storage walls. Passive solar heating works successfully inmany types of buildings, especially residential and smaller commercial, industrial, andinstitutional buildings. They benefit from passive solar designs because they are “envelope-dominated”,that is, their space conditioning loads are determined primarily by climaticconditions and building envelope construction characteristics rather than byinternal heat gains. Passive solar heating works particularly well in climates where manysunny days occur during the cold season but is also beneficial in other climates.Passive solar cooling strategies include cooling load avoidance, shading, natural ventilation,radiative cooling, evaporative cooling, dehumidification, and ground coupling.Passive design strategies can minimize the need for cooling through proper selection ofglazings, window placement, shading techniques, and good landscaping design. However,incorrect daylighting strategies can produce excessive heat gain. Minimization of coolingloads should be carefully addressed through proper design for both solar and conventionalbuilding design.