As reported by Gwen Biasi
Greater Orlando Home Improvement Magazine
Energy prices continue to climb, but the good news is that the cost barrier to using green energy is dropping. People are seeking alternative energy sources that are abundant, environmentally sound and cost effective. Technology continues to evolve that helps us channel energy from the sun. The sun’s energy can provide space heating, hot water heating and electricity for lights and appliances.
Solar retrofitting
Solar retrofits are solar energy applications made for an existing home. Since the sun is an endless, environmentally friendly energy source, using it lowers utility bills. When retrofitting, the first stage of the project is to make a record as to how energy is currently used in the home so that the right product may be chosen.
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Next, determine how much sun is available. The amount of solar energy available to a home is largely dependent on the time of year and your home’s location. For example, homes in the northern hemisphere need a southeast to southwest orientation to maximize solar energy. You will also want to assess sun availability by looking at what obstructions there are on the south side of the home, such as trees or taller buildings. Solar energy retrofit options may include active and passive solar energy systems, photovoltaic panels, as well as the use of wind and geothermal energy.
Passive solar heating
Passive solar is the most cost-effective approach to maximizing the use of solar energy for your home. Passive solar heating of homes is simple: It occurs when sunlight passes through a window, and no additional equipment is used to harness the energy. Passive solar applications use building elements such as walls, windows, floors and roofs, in addition to exterior building elements. Landscaping can control overheating by providing shade and windbreaks for winter winds. Once heat is collected inside, a well-insulated, airtight “building envelope” helps prevent heat loss and allows the sun to provide more of the heat needed by the house.
Active solar systems
Active solar energy systems use solar collectors and a pump or a fan to distribute the sun’s energy. Active systems are often used for heating water. The collector is a dark color to absorb the sun’s energy and convert it into heat. Some collectors have a glass cover, collecting solar energy all year. Domestic hot water requirements can be met in part by active solar systems. In most cases solar energy will only provide partial water requirements during the winter, but will provide most of the summer season requirements. In most applications the solar energy system is used to preheat water going into a conventional water heater. Outdoor swimming pools can be entirely heated by solar energy systems, eliminating the need entirely for a supplemental heater.
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