Solar Home Heating Systems – Your choice of efficient heating

Heating your home doesn’t have to be the financial drain that it usually is. We’ve all been in the boat. Just when we think that we’re getting on top of things, the utilities bills come through the door and put paid to our plans for a weekend away or to put that deposit on a new car. That’s what we get for sticking with the orthodox heating fuels of electricity, gas or oil. However, if you turn to a solar home heating system, then things can get a lot lighter on your pocket.

While the purchase price of a solar heating system for your home can be in the thousands of dollars, the payback period and the overall monthly costs are so small that the benefits are felt almost immediately. Generally, systems can cost between US$1,000 and US$8,000, depending on the size and type of heating system you buy.

However, a careful evaluation of the heating needs of your home should be carried out before deciding on what system to buy. Other factors, such as water heating (as opposed to space or room heating) and whether that is necessary, and your particular regional climate must also be considered. Often, a solar heating system uses a solar water heating system in order to reach its full potential efficiency.

There are two forms of solar heating system available for your home – active or passive. The only real difference between the two forms is that an active system uses pumps or fans to move the heat around the home, while a passive system only uses the natural methods of heat distribution, namely convection, conduction or radiation.

Active systems are more expensive to purchase and have higher maintenance costs, but because of aided distribution, the heat gets to where it needs to be more quickly and more efficiently. The big advantage of passive systems is that they cost less and there are practically no annual maintenance costs.

Active forms of solar home heating include liquid-based and air-based systems. The liquid-based systems work in tandem with another solar energy system – the closed-loop (indirect) solar water heating system. In this case, the hot water heated via that system is pumped through the home’s heating system, from which heat is radiated into each room. This can be done through an under-floor piping network or a radiator network. The air-based system works with a solar space heating system that heats air which is blown by a fan or otherwise, around the home. It works on the same principle as that used in the liquid-based system only uses hot air.

Passive forms of home heating systems include three main methods, namely direct gain, indirect gain and isolated gain systems. Direct gain refers to the absorption of heat through the materials of a home – walls, floors, ceilings etc. The window acts as the collector which, properly insulated, can hold the heat behind it. The heat is absorbed by materials, such as concrete or wood, and then released gradually after nightfall to keep a room warm.

Indirect gain systems use a Trombe wall, which locks air between it and the window. A vent at the bottom allows cold air through while one at the top allows heated air out and into the main room. A properly developed air-duct system can see the air properly distributed around the home,

Meanwhile, isolated gain systems use a mixture of the two and also add to the living space of the home, with the building of a sunroom or conservatory. The sunroom is heated directly while the wall dividing it and the main building is a Trombe wall.

Which system to choose is down to you, but remember to calculate your heating needs and also take a look at the design of your own home. What is certain is savings on home heating will be made almost immediately and for years into the future.

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