Improving Thermal Performance of Solar Heating Systems

The solar energy reaching the immediate surroundings of a single-family house throughout the year is sufficient to repeatedly and fully cover its heating needs during the heating season in a temperate climate. Nevertheless, modern technology is not yet able to fully solve the problem of thermal self-sufficiency in single-family houses. It is therefore advisable to seek solutions that improve the thermal efficiency of domestic solar installations. Efficient use of solar radiation heat accumulated during the summer months for heating requires the use of high-volume storage tanks. Another option is to discharge excess heat outside the system during the summer. This publication focuses on the latter solution. A model of the solar heating system for a residential building and pool with a storage tank powered by solar energy has been developed. Simulation calculations were performed, showing that the removal of excess heat is a beneficial solution, especially when this energy can be used to heat water in the pool. The calculations concerned the heating of a single-family house in a temperate climate. Lowering the temperature of the water in the storage tank reduces heat losses from the tank to the environment (ground), while supplying the solar collectors with lower-temperature fluid increases the driving force of the heat transfer process.