As the costs of fuel and electricity rise, the need for cheaper alternatives grows. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your energy consumption and your utility bills, then solar heating might be an option. You could see a significant reduction in your energy bills, and your carbon footprint, by installing and using a solar system that capitalizes on the plentiful and free energy of the sun.

You can use a solar heating systems to heat not only your home, but also to provide hot water. There are two kinds of solar heating systems, passive and active. Both of them work via the greenhouse effect. Air or water in pipes are run through a small flat box covered with glass or Plexiglas. Light easily passes through the top and is absorbed by the water or air in the tubes, and active systems then pump the water or air from a storage tank or the house, through the box, and back. Passive systems work without the pump, because hot water and air rise naturally from the top of the box, and push colder air or water into the bottom of the box.

These heating systems require little to no maintenance, and therefore, are relatively cheap to operate once installed. It’s imperative to size your system correctly, however, so you have the proper amount of energy for your home. Furthermore, excess energy that your system generates often can be fed into your area’s utility grid. Utility companies often give credit to homeowners whose solar system’s generate excess energy that they can utilize.

And, don’t forget that if you use a heat pump to heat your home you can purchase “solar ready” heat pump systems which utilize PV solar panels to generate electricity and run not only your heat pump but provide residual power which can be used throughout your home.

Solar heating systems work best when mounted on a roof or wall, where they can face the south. There should be no shade from trees or other buildings. Use an active system if you want a more efficient system that generates more heat. Use a passive system if your biggest concern is to save as much money as possible.

Learn other ways to lower your heating bills here. To learn more about heating, cooling, and other home comfort topics, talk to the experts at Powers Heating and Air. We’re proud to serve the Peachtree City area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree, GA and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about solar heating and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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