Working the with Sun
Here are some energy conservation measures related to the sun.
Use a transpired collector - A transpired collector reduces the load on a building’s heating system by heating intake air with solar energy. It preheats the ambient air by up to 40°F, reducing all or a portion of the load on a heating system during daylight hours. Although the transpired collector may not be able to achieve the required indoor air temperature on cloudy days or when the outside temperature plummets, it provides useful energy and reduces utility bills. In addition to meeting a portion of a building’s heating load with clean, free solar energy, the transpired collector helps save energy and money in other ways. It recaptures heat loss through a building’s south-facing wall; heat that escapes through the south wall is captured in the air space between the structural wall and the transpired collector and returned to the interior. Also, by introducing make-up air through ceiling-mounted ducts, the system eliminates the wasteful air stratification that often plagues high-ceiling buildings.
*Use solar assisted hot water heaters – I have seen these used with great success at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The idea is to simply pump water through solar panels that pre-heat the water before it enters a boiler or water heater. These can be used with domestic hot water heaters as well as boilers. This works best with systems that require a significant amount of make-up water to be introduced to the system.
Solar Ventilation Preheating System for Combustion Air - Using solar ventilation preheating will decrease the amount of energy needed to heat combustion air.
Low Solar Heat Gain Glass - Use glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient (or SHGC) rating.
Cool Roof - Cool roofs are the roofs that can offer high thermal emittance and high solar reflectance. The ability to reflect the visible, infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths of the sun reduces heat transfer to the building.
If you know of a better method, Let me know!
