Solar Heat store in Timber Frame Homes

TutuKaka

Can anyone explain how heat stores work in Timber Frame houses.
From my laymans understanding of the theory a concrete structure will offer a better thermal mass to store solar heat and then release it slowly.
Is the method applicable in timber frame construction?

beyondpassive

Thermal mass only counts for housing in our climate if it can be kept close to the desired internal temperature such as 20 degrees. So insulation is more important that mass. Thermal bridging kills thermal mass and internal insulation lining such as composite board and ICF also nullifies thermal mass.

Thermal capacity depends on the density of materials, but timber frame can be designed to store as much heat as a masonry build. Materials such as softboard and cellulose are high density, and plasterboard linings such as fermacell can dampen fluctuations in internal temperature. Softboard as sarking board or outside timber frame gives it more mass.

fodda

Water as a form of heat can be sent anywhere in your house cheaply efficiently and automatically, thats why we use it.

With your thermal mass system how are you going to send this heat to where you want when you want?

esox28

would it be out of the question to have a timber frame house and then in turn clad the internal walls with 100mm concrete block but only the external internals if you follow ?

you would have the benefit of a thermal store espesially if using ufheating

BryanF

esox28 wrote: »

would it be out of the question to have a timber frame house and then in turn clad the internal walls with 100mm concrete block but only the external internals if you follow ?

internal block for thermal mass purposes? I understand where your coming from but this is not an approach taken in timber frame construction. I know a guy with a 'low energy' house who suggests that if he were to do it all again he would add some more thermal mass. so if we stick with the timber frame imo you would be better of installing an insulation material like cellulose or maybe hemplime or go the whole way green:) and use rammed earth

you would have the benefit of a thermal store espesially if using ufheating

i may be wrong here but are you confusing thermal store with thermal mass -
thermal mass suggests to me a material (like concrete, water, earth) that will retain and delay the release of heat or reduce/delay temperature fluctuations in a building

thermal store could be argued is the same thing but in the renewable energies section of boards.ie is generally associated with storage of large volumes of water for use/ slow heating release in a super insulated home

the benefits of thermal mass discussed with regards to UFH is an interesting one,
thermal mass element absorb and slowly releases some heat gain through our windows etc - this is a great principle

does added wall thermal mass increase the efficiency of UFH ? I'm not sure, yes maybe in a passive house.. but maybe it just delays you or the room warming up in an ordinary less air-tight/insulated house