ABSTRACT
Direct heating of the inhabited space by penetrating solar radiation was the first approach applied in the USA in the so-called ‘solar houses’ of the thirties. On sunny days in winter they overheated even in cold climates and after sunset they quickly cooled down, requiring full-capacity conventional heating during the night. The air was heated by contact with the hot black concrete and thus a thermosyphonic air flow was created, with the hot air entering the room through upper openings creating an instantaneous heating of the indoor air. The chapter discusses the applicability of various cooling systems utilizing the natural energies and some of the problems involved. Cooling of buildings by natural energies can be effected either by solar energy, although only with ‘active’ sophisticated systems, or by the utilization of other natural energies which can also be applied in a passive way.
