| Solar heating is not a new idea; in fact, harnessing the | | | | pumps and controls to move the water around and |
| sun's energy has been around hundreds of years. | | | | heat it from the sun. The active solar heating systems |
| However, it is only recently that technology has | | | | for water have these devices and are a more |
| simplified capturing and using this energy for solar | | | | successful heating application in most cases. Solar |
| heating and power. | | | | water heating devices should be insulated to prevent |
| Homeowners can now find roof tiles, water heaters | | | | heat loss. |
| and other appliances that are solar energy powered. | | | | Solar heating applications for water heaters come in |
| These all work together to make the home more cost | | | | one of two tank types. One contains a backup |
| efficient in terms of energy consumption and at the | | | | system within the solar storage. The second type |
| save time help save natural resources. | | | | moves the heated water into a storage area to save |
| Options | | | | energy while keeping the water heated. |
| Solar heating of the home can be accomplished uses | | | | Other Home Uses for Solar Power |
| solar panels or tiles placed on the roof. Nearly all | | | | Of course, a solar powered system can be used for |
| homes can make use of this process; however, in | | | | much more than just heating your home. You can |
| homes where the majority of the roof is towards the | | | | have small single solar panel, right through to solar |
| south, more solar power is absorbed. This is due to | | | | panels that cover the entire roof of your home. |
| southern exposure having more sunlight during all | | | | So what can these different sized panels be used |
| seasons for the longest periods of time. | | | | for? |
| There are also solar heating devices that can be used | | | | A small solar panel could be used to power lights in |
| to heat the water for the home. | | | | your garden, power your garden shed, or be used to |
| Solar heating of the home through solar energy | | | | power individual electrical devices in or around your |
| absorbed by the roof can be done using various roof | | | | home. |
| top solar tiles or panels. These absorb solar energy | | | | A full roof of solar panels can be used to power just |
| during daylight hours and transform it into power for | | | | about anything in your home, plus you have the |
| the home. If there is excess power created, the | | | | possibly to either store any surplus power into large |
| homeowner may be able to sell it to the local power | | | | batteries, or even sell the power back to your power |
| company; conversely, if there is not enough solar | | | | company. |
| energy absorbed, the homeowner may need to pull | | | | DIY Solar Heating |
| from the power company. | | | | You can actually build a homemade power system |
| Heating Water for the Home | | | | that can heat your home and/or water for very little |
| There are two different types of devices: passive and | | | | cost. In fact a DIY solar powered system can be build |
| active. The passive devices do not have circulating | | | | for under $200. |