Passive Solar Heating And Energy Efficiency
The people fortunate enough to live in a consistently warm and sunny place like Southern California don't need to worry about their heating costs in the winter. But the rest of us are looking for ways to save energy, thereby saving money. Today, being environmentally conscious is trendy anyway, and you'll save money to boot. When thinking about alternative home heating, consider the option of passive solar heating.
Even on the coldest winter days, the sun's heat can be significant. It's only the shortness of the days that keeps the snows from melting. What if you could harness that heating power, even for the short time you get it, without making huge changes to the structure of your home?
There is an answer to some of the heating costs. It's called the Trombe wall. It is made of material that is used for thermal mass, usually stone or concrete. It is insulated with glass and an airspace to help keep the heat in at night. There is also a shade that lets direct low winter sun enter, but keeps the glass from being heated too much from the high summer sun to help keep your cooling costs down.
Many of us are interested in pursuing more energy efficient heating alternatives such as passive solar heating. Whatever alternative you choose the cost of installation may be expensive. Whether you are seeking a custom designed home or renovating an existing structure you have options. One advantage of passive solar heating is that once installed continued use expenses are nominal.
Not everything from the past involves excessive waste of resources. Trombe walls invented in the 19th century are an excellent green choice for building or buying your new home. These type of walls, made popular in home designs in the 1960's, are to be considered when you are searching for an energy efficient home.
Ideas that circulate in the mainstream today do work, but people have been looking for money saving opportunities for a long time now. It's due now to the increase in environmental consciousness and rise in heating costs that is leading people to look to the solutions of yesteryear, such as passive solar heating, that were used effectively by our ancestors to save resources, to use as solutions to help save the world.
Most of us have to worry about the large costs of heating our homes during the winter. Who doesn't want to save energy and money? One thing people seldom consider when it comes to alternative home heating is the use of passive solar heating. The Trombe wall is made of concrete or stone and stores the sun's heat energy to be released gradually throughout your home. It is insulated on the outside to prevent heat loss, and can even lower your cooling costs in the summer low as well. Retrofitting your home may be a major renovation, but well worth the investment.
Published April 7th, 2008
Filed in Real Estate
