Winter gardens affect on

energy balance

ukasz Walaszczyk
Faculty of Civil Engineering
KBI, semester II

Definition in a sense of energy efficient building:

Winter garden (or conservartory) an unconditioned space, adjacent to a
house, partially or completely glazed.
Vital element of a passive solar system in energy
efficient buildings
Functions as a collector of solar energy
Buffer zone between conditioned spaces and
outside enviroment

Four basic elements required for

effective use of solar energy

1. A means of collecting heat

2. A means of storing heat
3. A means of distributing heat
4. A means of keeping the heat inside of the building

Collecting heat

Southern orientation of the conservatory maximizes energy gains

Storing heat
Materials with high heat capacity and high density
floor - concrete slab covered with ceramic or
stone tiles
masonry or concrete walls

Dark colours to maximize absorption of the solar

radiation

Distributing heat

Passive or mechanical
ventialtion system

Possible creation of a thermal

chimney

Careful positioning of the inlets

and outlets

Summer overheating problem

Proper ventilation
Making use of the convection
phenomenon
Shading
retractable blinds
deciduous trees

Winter overcooling problem

Double or triple glass units with noble gas

between the sheets (U value up to 0.8 W/m2K)
Retractable shades with aluminium reflectors
to keep the radiation inside
Effective thermal separation from the dwelling
is recommended

Performance throughout the year

Bright summer day

Dull summer day

Winter day

Winter night

Exemplary project
The Glengariffe Passive Solar House

Located in a mild climate of Western Ireland

The conservatory not considered a living space

Total floor area of inner space: 170 m2

Floor area of the conservatory: 60 m2

Permanent indoor temperature: 19C

HVAC system automatically controlled using

special software

Heating load for the whole year:

Without the conservatory:

9 564 kWh
With the conservatory and passive ventialtion:
6 560 kWh
With the conservatory and mechanical ventialtion: 6 088 kWh
Over 30% saving of energy demand for heating

Thank You

Sources

Tim Pullen, Heat your home with passive solar energy, http://www.yougen.co.uk/blogentry/2119/Heat+your+home+with+passive+solar+energy/

Chris Reardon, Passive solar heating,

http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-solar-heating

Paulina Gawroska, W ogrodzie zimowym - co nas zibi a co grzeje, Murator 1/2011

Scozia GmbH Fenster & Tren, Ausstellung Wintergrten

http://www.scozia-fenster-tueren.com/ausstellung_wintergarten.htm

Viking House, Solar House,

http://www.viking-house.ie/solar-house.html

Ernst Posthuma, Solar House Project, Glengarriff Co. Cork, Glengarriff 2002