Richard Smith
New Member
Posts:4
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| 12 Jun 2007 10:00 PM |
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I've found little on the thermal mass (storage) side of solar optimized home construction. We have little interior storage width for masonary or water.
Does anyone have suggestions for panel products that would require less than two in. thick that could produce a significant storage effect and still be reasonable for a couple to install. I'm currently considering three layers of cement or green board.
What about Dupont's "energain" panels? I find lots of literature but no prices or distributor sources. |
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SIPuser
New Member
Posts:3
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| 14 Jun 2007 05:18 PM |
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We have concrete in the floor that acts as thermal mass, trapping the daylight sun to heat the house at night; the thickness is 4 inches. I would also suggest a masonry fireplace, as it adds thermal mass. -- Juan
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Richard Smith
New Member
Posts:4
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| 15 Jun 2007 02:56 PM |
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Thanks Juan.
We have substantial thermal mass in our floors exposed to winter sunlight., but have no space for a fireplace. I'm hoping to increase and distribute additional mass in wall boards or cement based stucco. However, I've yet to find heat retention specs for low cost drywall products. Any thoughts on that? |
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billmh
New Member
Posts:47
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| 16 Aug 2007 06:04 PM |
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I have ben looking into this area for a few months as I flesh out our adobe home to be built in NM. As others stated you get mass from your concrete or block floor. You can add Trombe (sp) walls on the south side interiors to absorb heat. But again, you get heat storage from mass. The more mass, to an extent, the more heat storage. So for instance, you had a sun room on the southside of your house, the wall between it and the house could be brick to provide the mass storage. Like wise, you could put a brick wall some distance in from the windows so that the sunlight hits it. This is the trombe wall concept. But if you do not provide the mass you will be wasting time and money..
Bill |
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