RE: [GBlist] Passive Solar/Thermal Mass Comparison

["Ralph Bicknese" <ralph.bicknese@christnerinc.com>]

Title: RE: [GBlist] Passive Solar/Thermal Mass Comparison

Ray and all:

 

I have to disagree with the assessment that thermal mass is primarily beneficial in warm climates. 

 

Thermal mass is most beneficial in climates that have large (20 degree F or greater) daily temperature swings.  It is also very beneficial and necessary in a building with a high degree of solar input (south windows) to even out internal temperature swings.

 

This makes the use of thermal mass extremely valuable in climates such as you have in the southwest (such as Arizona).  The indigenous people in the Southwest used thermal mass very successfully in their pueblos.  Ants use it to help maintain constant 86 degree F in their ant hills.  But it is also very valuable (for slightly different reasons) where I live in St. Louis.  Other applications throughout the more northern states will benefit as well.

 

Thermal mass is less beneficial, and often a disadvantage, in warm humid climates, such as in Florida and Louisiana, and in very mild climates such as in Hawaii where quick flushing through ventilation is of primary importance.  Its use becomes a bit tricky in cool mild climates such as in the Northwest.

 

Cheers,

Ralph Bicknese

-----Original Message-----
From: Ray Zorz [mailto:RZorz@ScottsdaleChamber.com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 1:38 PM
To: Greenbuilding (E-mail)
Subject: RE: [GBlist] Passive Solar/Thermal Mass Comparison

I exchanged e-mails with a member of the Oak Ridge staff.  In a nutshell, thermal mass is beneficial in predominantly warm clients, and he also said you'd be better off not heating up the mass to begin with.  In other words, my money would be better spent on less mass and more R-value.  But that's primarily because I live in AZ I think. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Renewable News Network [mailto:rnn@rnn.com]
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 12:28 PM
To: Halterman, Jon
Cc: Ross M. Donald 1-781-453-9668; Greenbuilding (E-mail)
Subject: Re: [GBlist] Passive Solar/Thermal Mass Comparison

On Mon, 26 Mar 2001, Halterman, Jon wrote:

> I was wondering if someone could direct me to a good resource on a
> comparison materials used for thermal mass.  I have heard some discussion on

concrete has a thermal capacity of .21-.24 (?) Btus/degree F./Pound
water has a thermal capacity of 1.00 Btus/degree F./Pound

salt water mixtures have latent heat of melting in the phase changing
ranges, which could be room temperature, but will require more research
and design work on your part - look for a packaged product w/phase
changing material in a pouch or tube, to be installed in a rack or
ceiling tile system.

> this but would be interested in learning which materials have the best
> thermal mass properties and how others compare with them.

you've basically got water and masonry

> Also, it seems that the use of insulation is counter productive in
> conjunction with a thermal mass.  One person has suggested that the use of
> insulation just increases the time lag associated with a thermal mass.  I
> would be interested in any thoughts you have on this.

I'd suggest not trying to store your solar heat gain in a high mass
glazed-over exterior wall -- (where is the site?) -- what do does it do
you there - you're only going to lose it through the front of the
collector area.  Instead, direct the light or move the heat directly to
the point of use or, secondarily, into a storage component, designed to
take and hold heat to be drawn down later.

> Thanks,
>
> Jonathan Halterman
> Track Record Webification Project
> Compuware Corporation
> (248) 737-7300 x18745
>
> Do justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly  - Micah 6:8
>
>
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Ross M. Donald 781-453-9668

<RNN>

______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________