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Thermal mass is a heat storage material, such as water, concrete or masonry, used in passive solar heating systems. With passive solar heating, the house itself acts as the solar collector and the storage facility. The essential elements of a passive solar system are excellent insulation, solar collection (with south-facing windows), and thermal storage facilities (thermal mass). | {{Wikipedia}} | ||
=Basic Definition= | |||
'''Thermal mass''' is a heat storage material, such as water, concrete or masonry, used in [[solar thermal energy]] systems also known as [[passive solar heating]] systems. With passive solar heating, the house itself acts as the solar collector and the storage facility. The essential elements of a passive solar system are: | |||
* excellent [[insulation]], | |||
* [[solar collection]] (with south-facing windows), and | |||
* [[thermal storage]] facilities ([[thermal mass]]). | |||
There are three categories that passive systems can fall into | =Types of Passive Systems= | ||
There are three categories that passive systems can fall into. | |||
= | ==Direct Gain== | ||
One of which is a [[direct gain]] system. In this system, large south-facing windows are used to admit the sunlight. and thermal mass is placed in the house to absorb the solar radiation. Another system is indirect-gain. | |||
[[Category: Solar]] | ==Indirect Gain== | ||
[[Indirect gain]] collects and stores the solar energy in one part of the building and uses natural heat transfer to distribute the heat throughout the building, such as the [[Trombe wall]]. | |||
==Greenhouse== | |||
Finally, the third category of these passive solar heating systems is an attached greenhouse on the south side of the house. The greenhouse acts as an expanded thermal storage wall. It will share some of its heat with the adjoining house. | |||
[[Category:Solar]] | |||
[[Category:PH261]] | |||
Revision as of 15:24, 19 October 2007
Basic Definition
Thermal mass is a heat storage material, such as water, concrete or masonry, used in solar thermal energy systems also known as passive solar heating systems. With passive solar heating, the house itself acts as the solar collector and the storage facility. The essential elements of a passive solar system are:
- excellent insulation,
- solar collection (with south-facing windows), and
- thermal storage facilities (thermal mass).
Types of Passive Systems
There are three categories that passive systems can fall into.
Direct Gain
One of which is a direct gain system. In this system, large south-facing windows are used to admit the sunlight. and thermal mass is placed in the house to absorb the solar radiation. Another system is indirect-gain.
Indirect Gain
Indirect gain collects and stores the solar energy in one part of the building and uses natural heat transfer to distribute the heat throughout the building, such as the Trombe wall.
Greenhouse
Finally, the third category of these passive solar heating systems is an attached greenhouse on the south side of the house. The greenhouse acts as an expanded thermal storage wall. It will share some of its heat with the adjoining house.