[Greenbuilding] Passive Solar and HVR/ERV systems

[Alan Abrams]

General advice on passive solar--reliance on large expanses of glass has a
discernable sensory downside.  radiant heat loss--to a cold surface like
glass--or concrete--can make one very uncomfortable, even if air temps are
otherwise in the comfortable range.  The converse is true as well, that one
can be comfortable at lower air temps, if exposed to radiant heat gain from
warm surfaces.

The up shot is to provide a means of closing off the glass after sunset with
insulated panels or even heavy snug fitting drapes can enhance comfort as
well as conserve energy.  I live in a mid censh hi rise condo with about 100
sf of glass serving a +/-400sf living area--last week, with temps in the
teens, it transformed the comfort level of the space to pull the drapes
shut, even though the indoor temp remained the same.

-Alan Abrams  

<If I cover the concrete with rugs or a wood floor, I'm going to lose  
a lot of my thermal mass though.>