| Innovative Design Gives
Solar Heating Aesthetic Appeal
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| 2nd July 2003 | ||
| The
University of South Australia, in collaboration with government and
industry partners, has developed a revolutionary, environmentally-friendly
heating system that sits discreetly on any steel roof. The Solar Air Heating System reduces reliance on fossil fuels for heating purposes, without diminishing the aesthetic appeal of the modern Australian home. UniSA has worked closely with BHP Steel and the South Australian Housing Trust for over six years, developing, testing and trialing the system. The principle behind the design involves capturing the sun ' s heat during the day, transferring the heat to a storage facility and then retrieving the heat when needed, such as at night. The new solar heater comprises two major components - an air-based solar roof integrated collector and a thermal storage unit, installed under the roof. The solar collector is made from COLORBOND® steel, which is glazed with a clear plastic material that is hardly noticeable. On sunny days the collector heats up as it absorbs sunlight and then heats air which passes through it. This hot air warms the home or passes through the thermal storage unit, where the heat is captured in an innovative system of phase change materials that store energy by changing from a solid to a liquid at a desired temperature. This new solar heating system offers homeowners an environmentally-friendly heating system while not impinging on the aesthetic appeal of their roof made from COLORBOND® steel. Developed by BHP Steel, COLORBOND® steel offers an aesthetically impressive, quality roofing solution designed specifically for the Australian environment. The solar air heating system can be easily integrated into new roofs or installed during re-roofing of older homes. Director of the UniSA ' s Sustainable Energy Centre, Associate Professor Wasim Saman, lists many benefits of the new system. " The system lowers dependence on fossil fuels, provides free energy from the sun, blends in with contemporary home design, is almost invisible, provides fresh air for the home, makes use of standard building and air conditioning design and installation practices, and is easy to install in new and existing homes, " Professor Saman said. " It complements contemporary Australian housing design while providing a practical and affordable alternative. " The South Australian Housing Trust has built a prototype home, featuring the new technology, in Windsor Gardens. The home will be used by UniSA researchers to monitor the system ' s performance. For More Information Contact University of South Australia - Sustainable Energy Centre Bruce Perkin Tel: +618 8302 3565 Fax: +618 8302 3380 Address: The Mawson Lakes Campus Mawson Lakes, Adelaide, SA 5095 Email: bruce.perkin@unisa.edu.au |
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