| The sun is an immense source of energy, providing | | | | installed over laminate or vinyl (or over existing |
| thousands of times more energy than the world | | | | subfloors, as well). Solar water heating is |
| consumes, every hour of every day, in the form of | | | | accomplished in a similar way, using the light and heat |
| light and heat. Solar energy has long been one of the | | | | generated by the sun to warm water, which is then |
| most cited forms of alternative energy, though these | | | | distributed as you need. While these systems are |
| systems have suffered from high costs and low | | | | generally not capable of heating water to the same |
| efficiency. That said, new advents in the realms of | | | | degree as a traditional water heater, their function is |
| solar space heating and solar hot water heating have | | | | simply to warm the water, thus reducing the amount |
| rekindled interest on the part of many homeowners | | | | of energy required to heat the water even higher. |
| in this type of energy. | | | | As interest in solar space heating and solar hot water |
| Home solar space heating is a unique option for | | | | heating has increased, numerous companies have |
| heating your home during cold months. If you are | | | | realized the potential of the market and have begun |
| interested in this type of system, you will have to | | | | designing residential systems around the principle. This |
| choose between passive solar heating systems and | | | | has resulted in the greater availability of prefabricated |
| active solar heating systems. For instance, a passive | | | | systems (in the past, most of these systems were |
| system could be built as a frame on the outside of | | | | manufactured by the homeowner, with a bit of |
| your home. The entire affair would be covered with | | | | ingenuity). |
| glass and black screening. Vents cut into the bottom | | | | However, before rushing out and purchasing any solar |
| portion of the room's exterior wall allow cold air to | | | | heating system, it's highly advised that you do a bit |
| enter the heater, and vents at the top allow warm | | | | of research into the company's offering. What do |
| air to circulate back into the room. This type of | | | | other customers have to say about its efficiency, or |
| setup requires no fans or motors. | | | | about its cost versus ability? This information will help |
| An example of an active solar space heating solution | | | | ensure that you make the right choice. |
| would be a solar radiant floor, which can be easily | | | | |