Produced By: Steven Winter Associates, Inc.
Authors: M. Emanuel Levy, Principal
     Deane Evans, Senior Associate
     Cynthia Gardstein, Senior Associate
Copyright: 1983 by Rodale Press
Useful Pages: 253
Additional Reference Pages: 42 Length of Index: 14 pages

Table of Contents:

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Passive Solar Fundamentals
• Chapter 3: Direct Gain
• Chapter 4: Thermal Storage Wall
• Chapter 5: Attached Sunspace
• Chapter 6: Convective Loop
• Chapter 7: Materials
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Appendix A: Simplified Rock-Bed Design
• Appendix B: Recommended Analysis Tool
• Appendix C: Analysis Methods
• Index

Note:

Construction materials and techniques have changed significantly since this book was published, but much of the fundamentals still apply. This book will only be available second-hand.

Organization:

The first major chapter on passive solar fundamentals covers basic passive systems and passive solar design. The next four chapters cover specific concepts in detail, and include a design overview, details and case studies for each concept. The materials chapter covers collector, absorber, storage, distribution and control components. The rock-bed design appendix provides a procedure for sizing rock beds that provides heat transfer models for heating and cooling using rock beds. The analysis tool provides a crude way to estimate the energy performances of a structure based on walls, glazing, floor space and other factors. There is also a reference to analysis methods available (at the time) from other researchers.

The most useful discussion for constructors is the presentation of passive solar fundamentals. This presentation, in Chapter 2, consists of:

• Basic Passive Systems
• Direct Gain
• Thermal Storage Wall
• Attached Sunspace
• Thermal Storage Roof
• Convective Loop
• Passive Solar Design
• Energy Use Analysis
• Assessing the Economics

Possible Uses:

• Understanding fundamental concepts about heat flows in residential structures.
• Visualizing heat and air flows.
• Researching layouts for passive solar homes.
• Comparing specific construction techniques and placement of materials.
• Historical research on solar techniques, including heat transfer models.

Advantages:

• Excellent diagrams showing heat and air flows for various envelops.
• Excellent construction diagrams showing how to build various options.
• Thorough coverage of passive solar design principles.
• Extensive collection of case studies, with full diagrams and detailed notes.

Limitations:

• Since many new materials and techniques have been developed, this book must be used in conjunction with newer information.
• Newer methods are available for models since computer availability and power have radically improved.