| Solar heat for homes is not a daydream. As | | | | consist of "collectors" that collect solar energy, |
| energy prices rise and the global community talks | | | | and electric fans or pumps to distribute collected |
| of energy sources drying up, solar homes are | | | | heat. Heat is transferred by liquid or air, and can |
| becoming increasingly appealing to consumers. So | | | | be stored to provide heat when the sun is not |
| is the idea of heating the home with solar energy. | | | | shining. |
| As a result, ways to heat a home with solar | | | | Solar air "collectors" will collect solar energy in air |
| energy are becoming more affordable. | | | | passing through the system. The air absorbs the |
| Solar heat for homes can be achieved in several | | | | sun's heat, and transfers it into the solar home. |
| ways. It is not simply a matter of placing | | | | This works best for heating individual rooms, |
| photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof and | | | | although some systems can heat larger areas |
| generating electricity for a furnace. That can be | | | | with the use of pumps and fans. Solar air |
| done, but other things can also be done to get | | | | collectors for individual rooms can be mounted in |
| solar heat for homes. | | | | an existing window. |
| Passive Solar Heat for Homes | | | | Solar liquid "collectors" are more appropriate for |
| Passive solar is one of the simplest methods of | | | | central heating. These are the same type of |
| acquiring solar heat for homes. Passive solar | | | | collector as those used in solar water heating |
| heating collects and distributes heat from the sun | | | | systems. Flat plate collectors are mounted, usually |
| without external, mechanical pumping systems. | | | | on a roof. Each collector contains water, |
| Passive solar heat for homes begins by positioning | | | | antifreeze, or another liquid that will collect the |
| the solar home in such a way that it takes full | | | | solar energy. At a predetermined time, regulated |
| advantage of winter sunlight to warm interior | | | | by a controller, a circulating pump sends the fluid |
| rooms and walls. In the northern hemisphere, a | | | | through the roof-top collector. The liquid is |
| solar home will be positioned to give its main area | | | | directed to a heat exchanger for immediate use, |
| southern exposure. In the southern hemisphere, a | | | | or sent to a storage tank for later use. |
| solar home will be positioned to give its main area | | | | Active liquid solar heat for homes can be sent |
| northern exposure. | | | | through pipes under the floor to maintain an even |
| Passive solar heat for homes is also available | | | | radiant heat at floor level. Radiant floor heating is |
| through building materials and architectural design. | | | | ideal for liquid solar systems. It performs well, |
| A solar home should have many vertical windows | | | | even at relatively low temperatures. |
| on its winter sun exposure side to collect solar | | | | Combination Solar Heat for Homes |
| warmth. These windows should be glazed, and | | | | The best solar home will combine passive and |
| uncovered during the day to allow warmth to | | | | active solar energy collection. Passive solar heating |
| enter. As the sun goes down, shades and curtains | | | | can reduce heating bills by nearly 50 percent. |
| should be drawn to retain the heat. The side of | | | | Active solar heating can supply 40 to 80 percent |
| the solar home that gets summer sunlight should | | | | of your heat, depending on your local climate and |
| have fewer, and smaller, windows. | | | | the system's size. Put the two together, and you |
| A passive solar home should feature masses of | | | | have a solar home that is comfortable and |
| brick, concrete, stone, or adobe (mud bricks) that | | | | efficient. |
| absorb and hold heat during the day, releasing it | | | | If concrete floors topped with tile are already |
| gradually as the air cools. These building materials | | | | warmed by passive solar heating, an active |
| should be used for walls and floors where the | | | | system that send hot water through pipes in |
| sunlight will hit them. | | | | those floors will keep the solar home cozy and |
| Passive solar heat for homes also requires thick | | | | warm. |
| insulation. Once heat has entered the solar home | | | | Free Heating |
| through large, glazed windows, insulation will help | | | | Aside from any initial costs for active solar |
| hold it there as the air cools. Placing the garage on | | | | energy systems, solar heat for homes can be |
| the non-solar side and main living quarters on the | | | | free. It is clean and environmentally friendly. It |
| "exposure" side also helps heat a solar home. | | | | leaves a smaller carbon footprint, too. Is it for |
| Active Solar Heat for Homes | | | | you? That is worth serious consideration. |
| Active solar systems for heating a solar home | | | | |