Book 22, Question 138
What Is Passive Solar Design?
Some buildings are designed to catch the Sun's free heat. They do it with no machines at all. That is called passive solar design!
More fun facts
- Passive solar design uses a home's windows, walls and floors to collect, store and share the sun's heat.
- It does not use pumps, fans or other machines to move the heat.
- Living room windows should face within 30 degrees of true south to catch winter sun.
- Dark, hard surfaces in the path of sunlight soak up the sun's energy as heat.
- Heavy materials like concrete, stone, brick and tile store that heat.
- Clear glass lets in nearly 90% of the sun's heat, like a greenhouse.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy
Questions kids ask
How does it stay cool in summer?
The design lets in the low winter sun but blocks the high summer sun.