BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING

Abstract

Buildings are recognized as large energy consumers in modern society. Design of energy efficient buildings today means incorporation of renewable energy resources. Among them, solar energy has a great potential for increasing building energy efficiency and for reducing energy consumption. Solar energy in buildings can be used through implementation of active systems, and also passive systems. Imlementation of Passive Solar Design in buildings can provide fundamental comfort conditions related to heating, cooling, natural lighting for visual comfort or help building’s conventional mechanical systems to achieve these conditions with less energy consumption. This paper presents the brief history of passive solar building design and fundamental strategies of passive solar heating. Implemantation of passive solar heating significantly reduce energy consumption and thus greenhouse gases emission in buidings.