Simulation Study on Solar House with Floor and Hot Water Heating System

Abstract

In this study, a two storied single family house with solar floor and domestic hot water heating system is simulated to examine the usefulness of the simulation for predicting the indoor thermal environment and energy consumption to evaluate the system performance throughout a year. The effects of the solar floor and hot water heating system were evaluated with comparison of the simulated results for the cases with and without solar heating system. The results showed that the solar house provided comfortable environment with an average annual total purchased electric power of 40.4 GJ/year, which was lower than that of the house without solar heating system by 17 %. In addition, the effect of tilt angle of solar collector on the total energy performance of this house was examined to discuss the suitable angle in considering roof design of the house. It was found that the effect of collector tilt angle on the solar energy contribution was much smaller than the difference in solar radiation on the tilt angle. This implies the flexibility in designing the roof shape of solar houses.