| As we near the end of the first decade of the | | | | - Effective insulation to both walls and roof |
| twenty first century, most of us are aware of | | | | spaces. |
| the discussion about global warming and its | | | | In addition to providing heating, cooling and |
| potential impact on our way of life both culturally | | | | soothing natural lighting for your home, solar |
| and practically by way of ever rising fuel and | | | | electricity options are also available to provide the |
| energy costs. There are many options that a | | | | actual power for many of your household |
| family can take to reduce high power bills and live | | | | appliances. Solar electricity is generated when |
| a more energy efficient lifestyle. One of the | | | | sunlight is absorbed by photovoltaic cells. |
| smartest ways to achieve some measure of | | | | Alternatively, the electricity generated by solar |
| energy independence is to convert your home to | | | | cells can be conveniently stored in deep cycle |
| utilize passive solar power. | | | | batteries similar to those used in automobiles and |
| A home designed to take advantage of passive | | | | various technologies are commonly available to |
| solar energy basically uses the environment to | | | | provide a complete home electricity system |
| accomplish significant reductions in energy use. A | | | | utilizing these to augment or replace conventional |
| passive solar home constructed with suitable | | | | mains supplies. |
| materials and energy efficient design, can utilize | | | | Solar Hot Water Systems are another key |
| the sun's heat during cold winter months and | | | | element in use throughout the world. These |
| during summer, can block the extreme heat from | | | | systems have been used for many years in |
| entering the home. | | | | countries such as Australia but can be effective in |
| The most common passive solar techniques | | | | any climate. It is proven that these solar systems |
| include:- | | | | will pay for themselves in a very short time. |
| - By correctly aligning the placement of windows | | | | Essentially, the unit consists of a solar panel array |
| in a house, direct gain of the sun's radiant heat | | | | which is fixed to the roof of the house. This |
| into living spaces can contribute significantly to | | | | collects the thermal energy which is used to heat |
| providing free heating in colder climates. | | | | the water which is fed through the panels and |
| Alternatively, in warmer climates, aligning the | | | | into a roof top storage tank. Conventional electric |
| windows to reduce the effects of sunlight | | | | or gas power can be used to automatically |
| entering the living space can reduce the ambient | | | | augment the heating during winter or days of |
| temperature within the home. | | | | heavy cloud cover. |
| - The utilization of effective building materials can | | | | An effective solar home needs to utilize many |
| also have a dramatic impact on the overall energy | | | | techniques to improve energy efficiency and |
| efficiency of a home. For example A Trombe wall | | | | existing homes can make use of the same |
| is a wall positioned to catch sunlight and is built | | | | techniques to save the homeowner many |
| from thermal mass material such as stone, | | | | thousands of dollars. Not all changes need to be |
| concrete or other heavy energy absorbent | | | | dramatic as significant gains can achieved by |
| materials. This is combined with an airspace and | | | | simply improving existing insulation or installing |
| vents so that the whole structure acts as a solar | | | | window shutters or double glazing. Whatever |
| thermal collector which 'pumps' warmed air into | | | | techniques are used, the benefits for the individual |
| the home. | | | | homeowner and the planet as a whole are |
| - Suitable structures such as double glazing or | | | | significant. |
| overhangs on south facing windows to restrict | | | | Remember this: The price of energy will never be |
| sunlight during warmer summer months. | | | | as cheap as it is today. |