| Passive solar energy may not be considered by some | | | | object receives the sunlight, it absorbs and keeps the |
| people to be as important as the actual harnessing | | | | heat contained within the structure and the interior |
| and converting of direct current power into AC power | | | | location. This lessens the need for other types of |
| for electrical use, however it is still an effective and | | | | heating in the home. |
| very helpful way of utilizing the energy from the sun. | | | | For those who are looking into the possibility of |
| In fact, the home you live in may already be using | | | | effectively tapping this energy from the heat and light |
| some type of passive solar in its design! | | | | of the sun, it is recommended to go for high |
| The term passive solar energy refers to the natural | | | | performance window structures that come with |
| energy from the sun that is captured and used for | | | | insulated frames and low-e coatings. Windows that |
| specific purposes without the use of mechanical | | | | are double glazed will not be as effective in absorbing |
| devices. Probably the best thing about this kind of | | | | and retaining the sun's energy. |
| energy is how effortless it is to maintain. | | | | In contrast to solar heating, solar cooling can also be |
| In order to fully maximize the light and heat energy | | | | easily achieved based on the same principles by |
| from the sun, certain structural considerations are | | | | simply using the opposite of the heating techniques |
| incorporated into passive solar homes as well as | | | | mentioned. Greater amounts of ventilation can be |
| commercial buildings. One example is how windows | | | | applied to encourage heat loss from within the building |
| are made to face the south for the purpose of directly | | | | as well as from the articles inside it. |
| catching the sunlight that is able to get to the building. | | | | Shading the building from the heat of the sun with the |
| Another way to make use of passive energy from | | | | presence of trees and using glazed windows also |
| the sun is to strategically position furniture and other | | | | helps to creative passive solar cooling. This technique |
| household items in such a way that natural light from | | | | can actually reduce up to 90 percent of the solar |
| the sun can enter the home and be absorbed, thus | | | | energy getting into the structure. |
| retaining the heat. This energy can be used in place of | | | | Many of the construction techniques and materials |
| artificial heating and lighting systems. | | | | being used for building homes and commercial buildings |
| The most important element in a successful solar | | | | actually involve the harnessing and use of this kind of |
| passive home is the building's design. With the smart | | | | solar energy, however most of us don't yet know it! |
| use of correctly placed windows, fans and pumps, | | | | If you are building a new home, incorporating passive |
| many of the energy requirements in the home can be | | | | solar technologies into the design can not only help you |
| met without the need for mechanical equipment. | | | | save on your energy costs for the long term, but can |
| Passive solar heating is accomplished by constructing | | | | create a virtually maintenance free way to enjoy |
| the windows oriented primarily to the south or | | | | clean, green energy from the sun! |
| anywhere within 30 degrees due south. When an | | | | |