Solar Energy and Air Systems Adapt to Many House Styles
Oct
26
Though the ducts and rock storage bins of active air systems are space-consuming, they set no unusual limits on the architectural style of new homes built to incorporate them, beyond the basic requirements of southward orientation and energy conservation. Traditional-looking houses can shoulder their solar collectors as gracefully as “futuristic” ones, and their interiors can reflect an equally broad spectrum of life styles.
In addition to the concern many people show over the esthetics of solar systems, a frequent question is, “Are solar heaters troublesome?” Answers vary. Some owners of systems shown here have reported trouble-free operation, similar to that with a conventional heater. Others have had problems ranging from leakage of rainwater into the collectors to inaccurate sizing of rocks for storage to breakdowns of blowers and sensitive electronic controls. (Similar problems, in addition to incidents of corrosion and freezing, have been reported with active liquid systems.)
One homeowner/builder had to shovel all the stones out of his storage bin and replace them with larger stones. Another found it difficult to get prompt service from the manufacturers, even in an emergency (luckily, he was an engineer and could do some of his own servicing). Still others found that their manufacturers provided quick and helpful service and an equitable price adjustment.
These experiences are not un‑common among owners of new solar homes. They reflect the still-experimental nature of much of the present-day solar technology.
Deeply bermed mountain home bears 2/3 of its air-type collector vertically on south wall; 1/3 of collector is at 45° slant on roof. Vertical portion of collector gains extra winter insolation through reflection from snow on ground. Household water is preheated by passing through heat exchanger in duct leading from collectors to rock storage immediately behind and beneath collector.
Roofline of traditional Cape Cod-style house accommodates solar heating system well: air-type collectors on south roof tile a steep 45° to face winter sun. Heat storage bin-insulated plywood filled with 1/2-inch stones—is in crawl space beneath house. In summer, evaporative cooler is used during off-peak night hours to cool rock storage; storage cools house during day.
Contemporary house has heat-conserving design to ease burden on air-type solar heating system. Garage and berms buffer north and west walls; entries have double-door airlocks to retain heat when outer doors are opened. Windows are double glazed; south ones are deeply recessed for summer shade, west ones have reflective glass to minimize summer heat gain. Direct collector-to‑house cycle of solar system is used on sunny winter days for heat, and on hot summer days for ventilation through collectors to outside air. Cooling plenums in west wall assist with ventilation.
Colonial-style duplex is heated by one active air system. Two halves of building share collector area, but in agreement with local building officials, each family has its own auxiliary heater, set of ductwork, and half of divided rock storage, so return air from each family does not flow into common storage area.
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