A review of solar chimney integrated systems for space heating and cooling application

The conventional indoor climate comfort systems have a major share of energy consumption in residential sectors. Passive design is an approach that can reduce building energy demand by minimizing mechanical systems power consumption. Solar chimneys as natural draught components that utilize solar energy to build up stack pressure are an innovative passive design. Solar chimney contributes to an increase in efficiency for residential space heating and cooling in addition to a considerable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This article presents an overview of recent progresses in solar chimney research. The construction industry has a tendency in utilization of integrated solar chimney configurations to improve the level of thermal comfort. In this paper, common integrated configurations based on solar chimneys were summarized. Besides, the challenging aspects and recommendations of each system were mentioned. Combined energy systems based on solar chimney have been regarded as efficient strategies toward green building architecture. Each system has its own pros and cons and there is not a general guideline that can arrange these systems in descending order according to their performance. It is necessary to carry out more experiments to solve forthcoming problems in their commercial applications. Further studies are suggested in developing optimization strategies and control systems. A desirable control system responds to inhabitants needs unobtrusively and allows them to change a condition if it is perceived thermally uncomfortable, with prompt feedback.