Radiant Solar Heat

Radiant solar heat generally takes one of three forms, water or air. And there are two basic types of systems, active or passive. In an active radiant solar water heat system, a solar collector is used to heat water. The water is then either stored in an insulated tank, or circulated in a heat sink. A heat sink consists of an object, like a huge concrete pad or bed of rocks which, because of it's mass, it can store heat. Water heated by the sun can be circulated through the heat sink, which is then circulated back through the home.

A passive solar radiant heat system would involve large tanks or vessels of water placed in a sunroom or other place where the sun will shine directly on them. These tanks or vessels would need to be painted black, or another very dark color. The sun heats the water in the tank, warming it. The heat in the tank is then released slowly after the sun stops shining.

In an active solar radiant heat system, air is heated in a solar collector and circulated through a heat sink. The heat in the heat sink is then allowed to radiate back into the structure after the sun sets.