Solar Heating

Learn about solar heating

Perhaps the most energy-efficient home heating system on the market, a solar heating system harnesses the energy of the sun. Solar furnaces are not common for residential use; rather, they're mostly used for commercial buildings because they are so expensive to install and maintain. They are, however, becoming increasingly affordable for homeowners. Learn about how solar heating works and if it's a viable option for your home.

How Solar Heating Works

Solar heating can be done in two ways:

• Active solar heating uses pumps to move air or liquid from the solar collector into the home (much like heat pumps do)
• Passive solar heating does not require a pump and uses panels or special construction techniques to transmit the heat inside.

Solar heating works by installing a solar heat panel, normally on the roof or close to the home, with a heat transfer fluid flowing through it. The panel catches rays from the sun and transfers the heat through the fluid, which then runs into the home through coils and then into a storage unit. The fluid is rarely anything that would harm the environment and consists mostly of treated water.

Passive solar heating works like a greenhouse effect; special glass parts of the roof can allow the sun to warm the room through solar air heating. Solar heating is considered a renewable source of energy and an extremely environmentally friendly way to heat your home.

Pricing a Solar Heating Installation

Solar heating can be quite expensive to install, especially if you live in a country that doesn't get much sun in the winter. However, the installation often pays for itself through the energy costs you will save, and you may be eligible for tax rebates and other cost savings through the government. It's worth speaking to an HVAC contractor about this – speak to one that has experience in solar power heating to get the best information.

Solar heating can do a lot for the environment and for your energy costs. Do your research and price out the installation carefully. Solar heating may turn out to not be for you, but you may be able to find another energy-efficient way to heat your home.