Passive solar energy and your home- what you need to know

When someone thinks about solar energy, it is usually an active solar system that they are thinking of. These systems use the solar panels that many people are familiar with and can supply either hot water or the energy needed to power a home. A passive solar system can also be used effectively in a home but may be much more subtle than you might realize it would be. Here is what you need to know about these systems and how they can be used in your home.

How passive solar energy works in a home
Passive solar systems are just that- passive. Instead of actively collecting solar radiation and then using it as a source of heat or electricity, they passively use the light from the sun in order to light and heat a home. Instead of installing expensive solar panels in areas surrounding a home, they use the position of a home as well specific types of windows in order to raise the temperature of a home’s interior.

How to take advantage of passive solar radiation
It can be much more difficult to retrofit a home to take advantage of passive solar radiation. This is because much of what makes these systems effective is the actual positioning and orientation of a home. A passive solar home must have a large number of its windows facing south in order to let in light and heat as efficiently as possible. If a home does not have its windows facing south, it is much more difficult to take advantage of the ambient solar radiation.

A home must also be equipped with windows that do not allow a massive amount of heat loss. The idea behind passive solar systems is that the sunlight will stream in through the windows, heat and illuminate the interior of the home, and retain the heat through the use of energy efficient windows and insulation.

The advantage of passive solar in your home
A passive solar system can be much more affordable than an active solar system to install. It may require the installation of updated windows and the addition of insulation but both of these things can be added quite affordably. It may also not generate electricity or hot water the way that an active solar system may but it can, over time, help to reduce heating and electrical bills.rnA qualified expert can look at your home or ask questions that will tell whether it is suitable to use a passive system in your home.