Affordable Solar & Wind

Using Solar Power to Heat Your Home

We have been using the sun to help heat our homes for generations, and the design of homes throughout history have taken this into account. Modern technology has now completely changing the way this is done and with the rising price of gas and electricity making us look at some ideas that were in use before gas and electricity became cheap, but giving the ideas a modern slant.

For example, in the some areas during the 20's hot water was supplied to homes by large storage tanks that were heated by the sun, until it became to expensive to compete with falling gas and electricity prices but with prices rising again the use of solar power in the home has been on the increase, and this idea is being used again but with a modern twist.

The simplest way to use solar power to heat your home is by the use of passive solar energy, that is ensuring that the majority of your windows face south so giving you the best chance of warming your home. This unfortunately can lead to certain areas of the home being to bright and getting to warm while other areas receive not enough light and heat. Modern solar systems can get around this problem by distributing the heat evenly around your home, so keeping all areas at a constant and comfortable heat.

The modern solution is to use solar energy to heat water that is then pumped throughout your home, the heat is released, keeping all areas of your home at a comfortable, constant and even temperature. The water is heated by passing it through small tubes that sometimes lie in small parabolic mirror-type troughs. This water is distributed throughout your home by running under the flooring throughout your home and giving you a even temperature regardless of location. One down side to this can be the fact water is used and if a leak was to occur in the system then it could cause damage to your home.

Another option is the use of air or similar gas, that can distribute the heat evenly throughout the home. Filling the tubes with air or other gas makes it possible to still absorb and deposit heat where it's wanted. At the same time, because the gas is not a liquid, if a leak does occur there's no major damage to the home and no major cleanup and repair bill. The draw back is that this isn't as as efficient at storing heat as liquid systems because air is not as dense as water so doesn't absorb as much heat.

If you start to investigate the possible applications that are available for your home and you'll discover a wide array of options that will allow you to heat your home using the power of the sun. This help you save money in the long run, reduce your carbon footprint and help to stop Global Warming.

About the Author

Gavin Dye is the webmaster at
Solar Power 4u
where you can learn about solar power and other forms of alternative energy you can use around your home. You can also learn how you can do your bit to stop
Global Warming
and learn more about
Solar Power

Free Energy To Heat Your Home

Passive Solar Building Design $70.1 Passive solar building design. Sun path, Building insulation, Daylighting, Solar water heating, Passive house, Solar energy, Lowenergy house, Zeroenergy building, Energyplushouse, House Energy Rating, History of passive solar building design Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 96 Publication Date: 2010/07/25 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.22 inches

A Survey of Passive Solar Buildings $35.09 This publication of passive solar projects built in the United States has been prepared to document the state of the art in passive solar design. Passive solar heating and cooling can provide a major percentage of the buildings energy requirement, while at the same time representing a heightened level of involvement for the architect in the design stages of the building. The full potential of this passive conditioning depends on a sensitive awareness of the relationship between climate, comfort, and the thermal characteristics of buildings and building materials. Passive solar systems are often misunderstood and vaguely defined. Many of the approaches to passive solar heating and cooling are at rudimentary stages, with little performance data and evaluation, few modeling techniques, and minimal published information. Yet for the building designer and the occupant, these concepts have major implications in the design and use of buildings. The purpose of this publication is to offer a working definition and a basic understanding of a number of existing applications of passive solar designs. Methods of passive solar design are not presented in this publication; nor are rules of thumb or passive solar assemblies and components. These subjects will be addressed in later publications. A reference bibliography has been included to assist the reader who desires more information and to stimulate additional individual research and testing. Passive design techniques can be integrated in an additive fashion in more typical buildings but this challenge for now, is left to the reader. Author: Dept of Housing and Urban Development/ US Department of Energy/ AIA Research Corporation Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 184 Publication Date: 2005/01/01 Language: English Dimensions: 11.00 x 8.25 x 0.39 inches

Survey of European Passive Solar Buildings $58.7 The idea for this report originated within the Solar Energy Pilot Study of the NATO Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS). The following countries were formal members of that pilot study: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. (Additional countries participated as observers.) A Passive Solar Applications Group was formed as one of the subprojects of the pilot study. As part of the Groups collaborative activities, France offered to undertake a survey of European passive solar buildings. The results of the survey are contained in this document which covers buildings in Andorra, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. An inquiry designed to identify newly constructed buildings required close cooperation between the authors, COMES, and both official organizations and concerned individuals in other European countries. The owners, builders, organizations, developers, architects, and researchers were asked to complete a questionnaire (reprinted in the appendix) and to supply additional documents, drawings, and cost figures that were used to establish data for each building. Author: Commissariat a. LEnergie Solaire, A. L Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 232 Publication Date: 2005/10/01 Language: English Dimensions: 11.00 x 8.25 x 0.49 inches

LowEnergy Passive Solar Residence in Austin, Texas $151.35 Abruptly 40 of the world has hothumid climate. In hothumid climate, the wide span of temperature and humidity cause architectural designers a huge trouble to design a nonair conditioned built environment, if they have to design to provide optimum thermal comfort throughout the year. Therefore, from the ages, in every civilization, it has been an eternal challenge for designers, to design a thermally comfortable built environment for the climatic condition. In 1980s with the invention of mechanical ventilation the world changed; it erased the history old architectural research to search the optimum inside building comfort by passive solar design. Now, its time to oil our historyold research to find the way the design for the optimum comfort by only design. Two major issues temperature and humidity; to solve them Ive chosen the wind and the sun. For wind power, I conceptualized a wind catcher; and to get the maximum use of the sun I designed a concave glass wall to absorb the highest amount of solar radiation. From a simple simulation of the design in Autodesk Ecotect showed more than fifty percent of reduction of discomfort degree hours. Author: Sau, Arunabha Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 168 Publication Date: 2011/03/07 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.02 x 0.39 inches

The Passive Solar House By Kachadorian, James $41.08 Author: Kachadorian, James Publication Date: 2006/07/31 Number of Pages: 224 Binding Type: Hardcover Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 8.25 Height: 9.75

Active Solar $71.7 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Active solar technologies are employed to convert solar energy into usable light, heat, cause air movement for ventilation or cooling, or store heat for future use. Active solar uses electrical or mechanical equipment, such as pumps and fans, to increase the usable heat in a system. Solar energy collection and utilization systems that do not use external energy, like a solar chimney, are classified as passive solar technologies. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 84 Publication Date: 2010/12/27 Language: English Dimensions: 9.02 x 5.98 x 0.20 inches

Bright Ideas 8010 Solar Bicycle Light Set $33.93 This solar bike headlight and taillight set will save you time and money. All you have to do is leave the lights out in the sun and the batteries will recharge. Headlight has 4 LEDs Taillight has 2 LEDs with a flashing a steady mode. Can run 4 to 8 hours before you need to recharge in the sun for 2 hrs.

Solar Chimney $81.25 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles A solar chimney often referred to as a thermal chimney is a way of improving the natural ventilation of buildings by using convection of air heated by passive solar energy. A simple description of a solar chimney is that of a vertical shaft utilizing solar energy to enhance the natural stack ventilation through a building.The solar chimney has been in use for centuries, particularly in the Middle east, as well as by the Romans. In its simplest form, the solar chimney consists of a blackpainted chimney. During the day solar energy heats the chimney and the air within it, creating an updraft of air in the chimney. The suction created at the chimneys base can be used to ventilate and cool the building below. In most parts of the world it is easier to harness wind power for such ventilation as is done with a Badgir ( ), but on hot windless days a Solar chimney can provide ventilation where otherwise there would be none. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 106 Publication Date: 2010/07/31 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.25 inches

Bright Ideas 907 4 LED Bicycle Solar Headlight $31.54 With this super bright 3 LED solar bike light you will never need to change the batteries or bulbs. This bike light has a red light that goes on when the battery is low. All you need to do is put the light out in the sun to recharge the battery. Features:. Solar energy rechargeable front light. 3 super bright white LEDs. Can be easily released to use as a flashlight.

Solar Technologies for Buildings $256.58 A complete overview of solar technologies relevant to the built environment, including solar thermal energy for heating and cooling, passive solar energy for daylighting and heating supply, and photovoltaics for electricity productionProvides practical examples and calculations to enable component and system simulation e.g. Calculation of Uvalues, IV curve parameters and radiance distribution modellingDiscusses the new trends in thermal energy use, including the architectural integration of collector systems, integrated ventilation photovoltaics facades and solar powered absorption cooling systemsCoverage of cuttingedge applications such as active and passive cooling techniques and results from ongoing research projects Author: Eicker, Ursula Binding Type: Hardcover Number of Pages: 323 Publication Date: 2003/07/28 Language: English Dimensions: 9.94 x 6.62 x 0.93 inches

Solar Home Heating Basics By Chiras, Dan $17.73 Helps home and business owners retrofit their buildings with solar heating, in a book that discusses solar hot air heating; energy efficiency, weatherization and insulation; solar thermal systems, passive solar heating and backup heating systems. Original. Author: Chiras, Dan/ Rao, Anil, Ph.D. (ILT) Series Title: Green Energy Guides Publication Date: 2012/05/08 Number of Pages: 185 Binding Type: Paperback Language: English Depth: 0.75 Width: 4.75 Height: 8.25

Ideas $59.99 Ideas - Wall Decal

Solar $124.99 Solar - Wall Mural

Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology $95.08 Implementation of Solar Thermal Technology describes thesuccesses andfailures of the commercialization efforts of the U.S.solar thermal energy program, from the oil embargo of 1973 throughthe demise of the program in the early Reaganadministration andits afterlife since then. The emphasis throughout is onlessonslearned from the solar experience, with an eye toward applicationsto otherprojects as well as toward possible renewal of efforts atcommercialization.Part Idiscusses the history of government involvement in solardevelopment and the paralleldevelopment of the market for solarproducts. Part II looks at the histories ofspecific commercializationprograms for five areas (active heating and cooling, passivetechnologies, passive commercial building activities, industrialprocess heat, and hightemperature technologies). Parts IIIVIIIfocus in turn on demonstration andconstruction projects, qualityassurance, information dissemination programs, effortsto transfertechnology to industry, incentive programs (tax credits, financing, andgrants), and organizational support.Solar Heat Technologies: Fundamentals andApplications, Volume 10 Author: Larson, Ronald/ Larson, Ronal/ West, Ronald E. Series Title: Solar Heat Technologies Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 1007 Publication Date: 2003/01/01 Age Level: 22 UP Language: English Dimensions: 9.00 x 6.00 x 1.98 inches

Bright Ideas 909 2 Red LEDs and 3 Modes Solar Tail Light $24.05 This bike light runs with solar energy batteries. It can run 48 hrs before you need to put it in the sun to recharge (for 2 hrs). It has 2 red LEDs and 3 modes.

9FT USB PASSIVE EXTENSION $5.99 9FT USB PASSIVE EXTENSION

PASSIVE POE POWER INJECTOR $19.99 PASSIVE POE POWER INJECTOR

Emg H3a Passive Humbucker $69 EMG H3A Passive Humbucker

Emg H4a Passive Humbucker $60.03 EMG H4A Passive Humbucker

Emg H3 Passive Humbucker $69 EMG H3 Passive Humbucker

Emg F-H1 Passive Humbucker $69 EMG F-H1 Passive Humbucker

Emg F-H1a Passive Humbucker $69 EMG F-H1A Passive Humbucker

Indoor Passive Tv Antenna $10.99 INDOOR PASSIVE TV ANTENNA

Bright Ideas 8027 Solar Bicycle Light Set with USB Chargeability $40.43 4 LED bike headlight can be set to flash or steady. Headlight can also be charged with a USB 2 cord. Taillight has 2 red LEDs and 2 flashing options plus a steady option. Both lights can be recharged in the sun.

How to Improve Management of Ideas $35.04 Innovation has a more and more important role in all industries, leading to a growing interest on the efficient management of the innovation process. For a better understanding of this process, it has been organised in 5 stages: idea generation, idea selection, idea development, idea implementation and revision.This work provides a short review for each one of these 5 stages of the innovation process, its tools, methodologies and processes.The AutoEuropa case study, described in this work, illustrates an innovation process in which a large number of tools and methodologies have been used with excellent results. In this case, a prototype idea management system has been used with a strong impact on the results, specially, at the organisation and productivity level of the idea management team.For a better understanding of the current practices of innovation management, a survey has been developed, distributed and analysed. The survey results provided information on which are the tools and methodologies more used and graded the organisations as active, watcher or passive. From the analysis of the results, it was possible to detect significant correlations between the use of the different tools and confirm that the organisation described in the case study had made a strongly innovative initiative. Author: Matos DOS Santos, Paulo Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 200 Publication Date: 2002/11/01 Language: English Dimensions: 7.84 x 5.12 x 0.49 inches