11.09.2005
Passive Solar Energy, etc.
OK, so I am working my way through Natural Solar Architecture, by David Wright, and it is getting a bit meaty for me. Maybe I am just not as much of a science guy as I thought, but this book is starting to be a little over my head.
For those who are really interested in implementing solar power into their homestead or burbstead, I would still highly recommend this book, in fact it should be required reading. I am pulling away some good principles, albeit probably the most basic, and totally missing the author's point.
I think the person who is trying to retrofit their house to take advantage of passive solar energy will face many more challenges than someone who is designing or building their own home. One of the main concerns that my wife brought up though, is that the houses that are designed by these solar architects are usually ugly. In order to be efficient that must have strange angles and are best suited to boxy houses. Nonetheless, the clever agrarian will take advantage of the good and learn to simplify his life by incorporating the principles of solar energy in to his home and work.
The most basic principle I have been able to glean is that of heat storage and transfer. Heat from the sun is collected in a thermal mass during the day, and then transferred to the home at night. To give you an idea, I am going to try a little experiment when the weather gets a little cooler. I am going to take some milk jugs and paint them black and fill them with water. Our bedroom windows faces the South (full-sun), so I will set the jugs on the window sill during the day. At night I will put the curtain between the jugs and the window to provide insulation and prevent heat loss back out the window. The jugs should transfer the heat and energy that has been stored to the cool air in our room. This is a radically simplified way of doing things, but it's a start. Hopefully I haven't misinterpreted any of the principles, and we'll see if it works at all.
Passive Solar Heating for Farmers and Ranchers
Energy & Agriculture
OK, so I am working my way through Natural Solar Architecture, by David Wright, and it is getting a bit meaty for me. Maybe I am just not as much of a science guy as I thought, but this book is starting to be a little over my head.
For those who are really interested in implementing solar power into their homestead or burbstead, I would still highly recommend this book, in fact it should be required reading. I am pulling away some good principles, albeit probably the most basic, and totally missing the author's point.
I think the person who is trying to retrofit their house to take advantage of passive solar energy will face many more challenges than someone who is designing or building their own home. One of the main concerns that my wife brought up though, is that the houses that are designed by these solar architects are usually ugly. In order to be efficient that must have strange angles and are best suited to boxy houses. Nonetheless, the clever agrarian will take advantage of the good and learn to simplify his life by incorporating the principles of solar energy in to his home and work.
The most basic principle I have been able to glean is that of heat storage and transfer. Heat from the sun is collected in a thermal mass during the day, and then transferred to the home at night. To give you an idea, I am going to try a little experiment when the weather gets a little cooler. I am going to take some milk jugs and paint them black and fill them with water. Our bedroom windows faces the South (full-sun), so I will set the jugs on the window sill during the day. At night I will put the curtain between the jugs and the window to provide insulation and prevent heat loss back out the window. The jugs should transfer the heat and energy that has been stored to the cool air in our room. This is a radically simplified way of doing things, but it's a start. Hopefully I haven't misinterpreted any of the principles, and we'll see if it works at all.
Passive Solar Heating for Farmers and Ranchers
Energy & Agriculture
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Christo, sounds like you are having some fun with the book. We'd like to build a new house once the hammer swingers grow another foot or so. Looks like I should find a copy.
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