Solar Heating
Save Money, Energy, and the Environment With Solar Heating
Statistics show that a solar thermal system can cut water heating expenses by as much as 80%.
The terms "solar heating" and "solar thermal heating" are sometimes used interchangeably. It's more accurate to say that solar thermal is one type of solar heating system. A solar thermal system uses the sun's energy to heat water that can be used for heating, washing or both.
The basic anatomy of a typical solar thermal system isn't difficult to understand. The sun heats an anti-freeze solution in a solar collector. When the liquid in the collector reaches a preset temperature, it is pumped down to a heat exchanger located inside a hot water tank.
If the water stored in the tank isn't sufficiently warmed by the heat exchanger, an auxiliary heater (electric or gas) can make up the difference until the water is hot enough to use. On a sunny day, no auxiliary heat may be necessary. At other times, electricity or gas may have to provide all the energy to heat the water.
A solar thermal system can be sized and designed to only heat water used for washing, or to provide hot water as part of a hydronic heating system.
Passive solar heating
The simplest way to use the sun's energy to reduce heating costs is to apply passive solar heating concepts. These include having a generous number of south-facing windows to admit winter sunlight into the living space, and utilizing thermal mass to store and radiate solar heat. A dark tile or masonry floor does a good job of absorbing and storing solar heat. Providing that the house is well insulated, a high-mass floor can remain warm for hours after the sun goes down.
Obviously, incorporating passive solar heating features into a house is much easier to do when a new house is being designed. But if your house has good southern exposure on one side, you could consider taking advantage of this solar exposure by installing new insulated windows and perhaps a tile floor that can be warmed by the sun.
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