Active solar systems for air heating are a straightforward yet effective way of using solar energy for space heating and tempering ventilation air. They offer some unique advantages over solar water systems, can offer improved comfort and fuller use of solar gains than passive solar systems and are a natural fit with mechanically ventilated buildings. They can be economical, with short pay-back periods and can act not only as space heating or ventilation air heating but also for water pre-heating, sunshading, electricity generation (with hybrid photovoltaic systems) and can help induce cooling. This design handbook takes architects and building engineers through the process of designing and selecting an active solar system from the six types presented, optimizing the system using nomograms and curves, and finally dimensioning the components of the system. Tips are offered regarding the construction and how to avoid problems. The book will provide essential design information for all architects, building engineers and other building design professionals and all those concerned to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

Active solar systems for air heating are a straightforward yet effective way of using solar energy for space heating and tempering ventilation air. They offer some unique advantages over solar water systems, can offer improved comfort and fuller use of solar gains than passive solar systems and are a natural fit with mechanically ventilated buildings. They can be economical, with short pay-back periods and can act not only as space heating or ventilation air heating but also for water pre-heating, sunshading, electricity generation (with hybrid photovoltaic systems) and can help induce cooling. This design handbook takes architects and building engineers through the process of designing and selecting an active solar system from the six types presented, optimizing the system using nomograms and curves, and finally dimensioning the components of the system. Tips are offered regarding the construction and how to avoid problems. The book will provide essential design information for all architects, building engineers and other building design professionals and all those concerned to reduce the environmental impact of buildings.

Thirty-five different buildings with successfully installed solar air systems are described and documented. The building types cover single family houses, apartment buildings, schools, sports halls, and industrial commercial buildings with six different configurations of solar air systems used. Each example building is described over several pages, with plans, performance details and illustrations provided. This is supplemented by a summary of the types of system used.

First Published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Solar cooling is most effective where it is most needed - in the tropics. Most developing countries lie in the hotter climatic regions, where cooling facilities are essential to promote the well-being, productivity and comfort of the population. Paradoxically, solar air-conditioning can contribute significantly to the alleviation of the problem. This book includes fully detailed treatment of the theory and applications of the techniques involved: vapour absorption systems, solar absorption systems, solar absorption cooling, radiative cooling and desiccant cooling. Particular applications stressed include the use of passive cooling in buildings and the provision of efficient refrigeration facilities, the latter being essential for the storage of vaccines in health-care programmes for the eradication of infectious diseases throughout the developing world.

This second edition of a hugely important work on this subject still plugs a gap in the literature. It is a source of crucial support to the planner in the design of solar assisted air-conditioning systems, which use solar collectors as a heat source. Air conditioning contributes significantly to the energy consumption of buildings in many countries and a promising possibility for energy reduction is the use of solar thermal energy in solar-assisted air conditioning systems. However, until today only a few systems have been installed world-wide and design and operation experiences are fairly poor.