Passive Solar & Thermal Mass
jackofalltrades777
| Posted in PassivHaus on
On the southern facing rooms having an exposed concrete slab works better for passive solar than a carpet covered floor during winter. Can one have too much exposed interior concrete or in other words, is too much interior thermal mass a bad thing?
During summer, is it beneficial to put down a throw rug of some sort to keep the sunlight from hitting the concrete floor and warming it? (Of course besides the exterior overhangs and window shades)
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
Peter,
In general, interior thermal mass is beneficial during the summer. To learn why, see All About Thermal Mass.
Of course, passive solar homes can overheat. The usual problem is too much south-facing glazing, not too much thermal mass. The dangerous season is not the summer solstice (late June); rather, it is around either equinox (late March or late September), when sunlight can reach deeper into the house than it can in June. Those are the seasons when your roof overhang won't be enough to prevent possible overheating.