> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://daniel-soto.gitbook.io/em/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://daniel-soto.gitbook.io/em/building-applications/thermal-mass.md).

# Thermal Mass

## Glazing

* Allows solar radiation to enter the interior of the home
* Blocks heat from escaping the building

## Thermal Mass

* Allows the storage of thermal energy
* Could be from day to night
* Some systems store from summer to winter
* Materials with high heat capacity are best

## Mass to Glazing Ratio

* It is important to balance the solar gain from windows with the

    storage of that thermal energy
* Insufficient storage can cause temperatures that are too high during

    the day
* The mass to glazing ratio provides a design guideline

## Passive Airflow

* Uses buoyancy of warm air to create currents of air
* Often used for cooling

## Internal loads

* Occupants and machines often create significant amounts of heat
* This heat can be used for conditioning a space