My interest peaks when I can use natural airflow and heat-patterns during the day , in order to proper heat and /or cool the house.
I have seen plans on Google of it and would like to use it in my next project.
I don’t think that is in a contractors exbertise
The notion of a Solar Chimney often comes up as a possibility on a project, suggested by a client or architect. As High Performance Home Builders, we see solar chimneys as just being a “big hole in the envelope.” Read: Air Leakage, and Air Leakage = Energy Losses. There is certainly room for Solar Chimneys for passive ventilation in certain cases. For example, the San Diego Children’s museum has incorporated one into the large building, and it works very well. But we have a temperate climate and so little heating and cooling is required, but for a building with a lot of kids running around the natural ventilation is a great benefit. In most homes, balanced mechanical ventilation is best, say with a high efficiency HRV or ERV (Heat Recovery Ventilator or Energy Recovery Ventilator.) HRV’s and ERV’s will vastly improve air quality, and I have even heard it say that it makes the air “feel bright” in a home.
As for heating and cooling, well, think forward: Think Passive House Principles.