thermal mass
Temperature stabilizing material
Thermal mass is a material's capacity to absorb, store, and release heat.
Dense materials like concrete, brick, and stone have high thermal mass—they warm slowly during the day and release that heat gradually at night.
In architecture and passive solar design, thermal mass helps regulate indoor temperatures without mechanical heating or cooling: The adobe walls provide excellent thermal mass.
Heating through building orientation
- rammed earthCompacted soil as building material
- adobeSun-dried clay bricks
- masonryBuilding with mortared blocks
- concreteSolid building mixture
brick · building design · floor slab · stone walls · cob · water wall · sunspace · clerestory
Heat acquired from sunlight
- heat absorptionCapturing warmth from environment
- radiant floorEmbedded subfloor warming system
- wood stoveTimber-fueled heating appliance
- south-facingOriented toward noon sun
heat sink · hypocaust · radiant heat · surface temperature · temperature swing
Energy to raise temperature
- specific heatEnergy needed per degree
- heat transferMovement of thermal energy
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
Minimizing wasted power
- green buildingSustainably designed structure
- LEEDGreen architecture certification
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
- net-zeroBalanced emissions state
peak demand · natural materials · durable construction · adaptive reuse
Controlling heat levels
- heat dissipationTransfer of warmth outward
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- cross-ventilationAirflow through opposing openings
passive solar
Heating through building orientation
- rammed earthCompacted soil as building material
- adobeSun-dried clay bricks
- masonryBuilding with mortared blocks
concrete · brick · building design · floor slab · stone walls · cob · water wall · sunspace · clerestory
solar gain
Heat acquired from sunlight
- heat absorptionCapturing warmth from environment
- radiant floorEmbedded subfloor warming system
- wood stoveTimber-fueled heating appliance
south-facing · heat sink · hypocaust · radiant heat · surface temperature · temperature swing
heat capacity
Energy to raise temperature
- specific heatEnergy needed per degree
- heat transferMovement of thermal energy
- conductionHeat transfer through contact
energy efficiency
Minimizing wasted power
- green buildingSustainably designed structure
- LEEDGreen architecture certification
- carbon footprintTotal greenhouse gases produced
net-zero · peak demand · natural materials · durable construction · adaptive reuse
temperature regulation
Controlling heat levels
- heat dissipationTransfer of warmth outward
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- cross-ventilationAirflow through opposing openings
thermal massthermal insulation
Material preventing heat transfer
insulation · aerogel · lightweight materials · fiberglass insulation · fiberglass
thermal massHVAC system
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning
air conditioning · radiant heater · active cooling · heat pump · furnace
mass, thermal, thermals, geothermal, thermally, thermodynamics, thermodynamic, nonthermal, endothermal