page_title: Solar chimney
section_title: Solar chimney and sustainable architecture
hierarchical_section_title: Solar chimney / Solar chimney and sustainable architecture
caption_attribution_description: English: Solar Chimney; CAD model (in TAS) used to investigate solar chimney performance. Image by Nikolaos Angelis
context_page_description: A solar chimney – often referred to as a thermal chimney – is a way of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy. A simple description of a solar chimney is that of a vertical shaft utilizing solar energy to enhance the natural stack ventilation through a building.
  The solar chimney has been in use for centuries, particularly in the Middle East and Near East by the Persians, as well as in Europe by the Romans.
context_section_description: Solar chimneys, also called heat chimneys or heat stacks, can also be used in architectural settings to decrease the energy used by mechanical systems (systems that heat and cool the building through mechanical means). Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation have been for decades the standard method of environmental control in many building types, especially offices, in developed countries. Pollution and reallocating energy supplies have led to a new environmental approach in building design. Innovative technologies along with bioclimatic principles and traditional design strategies are often combined to create new and potentially successful design solutions. The solar chimney is one of these concepts currently explored by scientists as well as designers, mostly through research and experimentation.
  A solar chimney can serve many purposes.  Direct gain warms air inside the chimney causing it to rise out the top and drawing air in from the bottom. This drawing of air can be used to ventilate a home or office, to draw air through a geothermal heat exchange, or to ventilate only a specific area such as a composting toilet.
  Natural ventilation can be created by providing vents in the upper level of a building to allow warm air to rise by convection and escape to the outside. At the same time cooler air can be drawn in through vents at the lower level.  Trees may be planted on that side of the building to provide shade for cooler outside air.
  This natural ventilation process can be augmented by a solar chimney. The chimney has to be higher than the roof level, and has to be constructed on the wall facing the direction of the sun. Absorption of heat from the sun can be increased by using a glazed surface on the side facing the sun. Heat absorbing material can be used on the opposing side. The size of the heat-absorbing surface is more important than the diameter of the chimney. A large surface area allows for more effective heat exchange with the air necessary for heating by solar radiation. Heating of the air within the chimney will enhance convection, and hence airflow through the chimney. Openings of the vents in the chimney should face away from the direction of the prevailing wind.
  To further maximize the cooling effect, the incoming air may be led through underground ducts before it is allowed to enter the building. The solar chimney can be improved by integrating it with a trombe wall. The added advantage of this design is that the system may be reversed during the cold season, providing solar heating instead.
  A variation of the solar chimney concept is the solar attic. In a hot sunny climate the attic space is often blazingly hot in the summer. In a conventional building this presents a problem as it leads to the need for increased air conditioning. By integrating the attic space with a solar chimney, the hot air in the attic can be put to work. It can help the convection in the chimney, improving ventilation.
  The use of a solar chimney may benefit natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies of buildings thus help reduce energy use, CO₂ emissions and pollution in general. Potential benefits regarding natural ventilation and use of solar chimneys are:
  improved ventilation rates on still, hot days
  reduced reliance on wind and wind driven ventilation
  improved control of air flow through a building
  greater choice of air intake (i.e. leeward side of building)
  improved air quality and reduced noise levels in urban areas
  increased night time ventilation rates
  ventilation of narrow, small spaces with minimal exposure to external elements
  Potential benefits regarding passive cooling may include:
  improved passive cooling during warm season (mostly on still, hot days)
  improved night cooling rates
  enhanced performance of thermal mass (cooling, cool storage)
  improved thermal comfort (improved air flow control, reduced draughts)
caption: CAD (TAS) Solar Chimney model
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