Methods For Using and Storing Solar Energy for Heating and Cooling

We are accustomed to pushing a button or turning a dial in order to have heat. This is convenient but can be costly as well. Heating homes, schools or businesses with solar power is not only simple but also cost effective. There are several strategies for capturing the sun's heat even in winter time. In order to utilize the sun's heat you need a solar source.  This source is something that will attract the sun rays and trap the heat when it enters the source.  A sunroom is a common example.

Sunrooms are attached to a home or a building and are constructed with glass paneled walls similar to a greenhouse.  It is usually facing the morning sun in order to maximize the heat collection. When the sunlight enters the room the glass allows the sun to heat the furniture and the entire room. These areas become the source that stores the heat so that it does not escape back out through the glass. This type of heating is passive and natural and can be very efficient if it is constructed properly.

Other Types of Solar Powered Heat:

A Thermal Mass that absorbs and holds the heat. It collects and holds heat while the sun is shining and disperses the heat when the sun goes down and temperatures cool.

A Trombe Wall is a natural solar heating and ventilation system that uses air channels to store the heat between a glass object and a thermal mass that faces the sun. The heat of the sunlight is trapped and stored inside the wall and is then circulated though vents in the top and bottom of the wall. The wall then radiates the heat.

A Transpired Collector is also a wall that is constructed facing the sun. The wall absorbs the heat of th sun and heats the air when it circulates in the ventilation system.

Solar Cooling is a terrific way to ventilate a building. It absorbs solar heat and cools it making ice with a solar powered steam engine that runs a cooling device.

A Solar Chimney is another solar ventilation system. It is made of a thermal mass which is hollow inside. The chimney warms the air inside the chimney causing the heated air to rise.  The rise allows the air to circulate and provide ventilation.

There are methods that we can employ to heat and cool our homes, businesses, buildings or other structures with solar energy. The ways listed above use natural materials that will pay off in the long run when you utilize the sun's heat rather than energy produced by non-renewable resources.  We all need heat  and we can learn ways to save the heat from the day to warm our homes at night.  Not only does solar energy work for heating but for cooling and ventilation as well.