Good materials for a passive solar thermal mass include most masonry materials like brick, concrete, concrete masonry units (sometimes called concrete block), tile, and stone. Water can also be a good thermal mass if it is stored in barrels or similar containers. The thermal mass should be placed in areas of the home where the winter sunlight is shining directly onto the mass area. The thermal mass area can be on walls, floors, or both. A homeowner should avoid placing a lot of furniture, floor coverings, or rugs on the thermal mass, because these items insulate the mass from the sun's rays, and reduce heat storage in the thermal mass. http://www1.eere.energy.gov/.../openhouse/pdfs/passivesolar_factsheet17. http://eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/.../29236.pdf

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