Passive Solar Space Heating

In homes that use passive solar energy for space heating, the whole house acts as a solar collector. This is done by positioning and designing the home and the landscape elements in such a way as to take optimal advantage of the solar energy that reaches the home.

For example, having most of your home's windows facing south will enable your home to have maximum solar exposure to the Sun's radiant energy.

Storage of the solar heat that has been collected is possible using thermal mass. Thermal mass is material that can absorb the heat, store it, and then slowly release it after the sun sets. Materials such as brick walls, concrete slabs, and tile floors are examples of thermal mass.

Distribution of the heat throughout the house is handled by natural means through convection, conducton, and radiation.

Active Solar Space Heating

Homes with active solar energy systems for space heating use mechanical equipment such as pumps, fans, and blowers to help with the collection, storage, and distribution of heat throughout the house.

Active solar space heating systems use solar collectors to capture the Sun's energy. There are two basic types of active solar heating systems based on the type of fluid heated inside the solar collector: liquid systems and air systems.