Energy costs rise every year, and fossil fuels are just simply becoming a less viable fuel option as time goes on. Instead of going bankrupt trying to keep your furnace going through the winter, consider following these tips for picking the best solar heating system for your home. Solar heat is easy to maintain, environmentally friendly and can cut massive chunks off your monthly utility bill.
What Type of System Do You Need?
Solar panels wired into your home’s electricity can be used to power appliances all over your home, but they are very expensive to install. More homeowners opt for a passive solar heating system that collects heat from the sun inside closed chambers, and then transfers the heat into the home. These chambers may be filled with either air or fluid. In general, air systems are easier to install, don’t freeze and can produce more heat overall than fluid-based systems.
Your solar heating system can be either closed-loop or open-loop. That is, it can draw air from inside your home or from the outdoors. Closed-loop systems tend to produce a lot more heat to keep homes warmer. Open-loop systems draw in fresh air, but are only useful for mild to moderate heating needs.
How Much Will the System Heat?
Closed-loop solar heating systems produce a substantial amount of heat and, in many areas, can serve as the only daytime heat source. An open-loop system works well if the desired temperature in the house is within 20 degrees or less of temperatures outdoors.
How Do You Size the System?
The exact size of the collectors varies according to your heating needs, the size of your house and the exposure it has to the sun. If you have a full southern exposure, one 4-foot by 8-foot collector is usually sufficient for anywhere from 500 to 1,000 square feet.
For more expert advice on choosing the right solar heating system for your home, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve a wide range of HVAC needs in Lorain and the surrounding areas.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about solar heating systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area