Design and construction of a residential solar heating and cooling system

Abstract The first integrated system providing heating and cooling to a building by use of solar energy has been designed and installed in a residential-type building at Colorado State University. Solar heated liquid supplies heat to air circulating in the building and to a lithium bromide absorption air conditioner. Service hot water is also provided. Approximately two-thirds of the heating and cooling loads are expected to be met by solar energy, the balance by natural gas. The paper contains details of design and principles of operation. A breakdown of actual costs of the equipment and its installation is also provided.