Taming Natural
Convection
by Alex Wilson
How to move heat from one place
to another is a major issue in
building design. Usually the heat is
transferred in a fluid such as water
through pipes or air through ducts
from a central heating system to the
rooms where needed. In passive-solar
houses, however, heat distribution
occurs naturally via conduction, radiation,
and natural convection.
Recently, this last mechanism of
heat transfer—convection—has been
studied intensively by researchers. By
better understanding natural airflow,
researchers such as Dr. J. Douglas
Balcomb of Los Alamos National
Laboratories have been able to offer
valuable design tips that can improve
heat distribution and comfort in
passive-solar buildings. Some of these
ideas can even be applied to nonsolar
houses.
Convective Airflow
Convection is the