Minimizing Energy by Using Passive Solar Systems

A Passive solar system collects heat as the sun shines through the windows and is stored on thermal mass. It uses the sun’s energy for heating or cooling buildings. Future homes should be constructed with this system because its advantages outweigh its drawbacks with low emissions of CO2 or other pollutant, consists of little maintenance, and has positive long term effects such as low electric bills.

This system releases low emissions of CO2 or any other pollutant because it takes advantage of a structure’s climate, site, and materials to minimize energy use. Solar passive design integrate a combination of building features to reduce or even eliminate the need for mechanical cooling, heating or daytime artificial lighting. Windows that collect solar energy are faced within 30 degrees of the south and should be shaded during summer to avoid overheating. However, during the winter the windows cannot be shaded as said in the online article (Passive Solar Home Design). Heat is stored on thermal mass, typically bricks, tiles, stones, masonry, or water; this prevents rapid temperature shifts, and absorbs heat from sunlight in the winter and from warm air in the house during the summer. The heat flow is natural and does not require the use of mechanical equipment. Heat is transferred to different areas of the house through conduction, which occurs when heat moves between two objects that are in direct contact with each other. Also, convection, which is transferred through a fluid; this can be air or water. As well as thermal radiation, this is a process by which energy is emitted by a heated surface and travels to its point of absorption ; this is explained in the online article (Passive solar design). By protecting t...

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