Is Solar Heating For You?, Part 2
Choose Solar Heat for your new home... It may just be the brightest thing you have done in a long time!!
Click here for
We are often asked:
"What is it like to live in a solar heated home?"
"What is the best kind of solar energy system?"
"Does solar really work where I live?"
"How much can solar really do for me?"
"How long does it take for solar to pay itself back"
"What will it look like on my house?"
"How long will a solar energy system last? How reliable will solar be?"
The purpose of this site is to help you with these questions. A solar
energy system is not for everyone, but a look at some basic information
will help you decide if it would be good for you and your family.
What is it like to live in a solar heated home?
A solar heated home could very well be the most comfortable
home you haveever had, and you may be able to retrofit a solar energy system to
your existing home. A solar energy system from Radiantec Company uses underfloor
radiant heating, the most comfortable heating system that there is.
For much of the year, you will have all of the heat and hot water you want;
for free. You will be able to open windows
and enjoy luxurious ventilation. You will enjoy long showers without cost
or guilt during sunny periods. During colder, cloudier periods, you may
need to conserve energy like everyone else and use backup heat, but not
as much as you would without the solar system.
In warmer months, you will have all the domestic hot water that you want,
and your solar system will work in reverse to give you a limited amount
of free cooling. All of the water that your household uses, for showers,
laundry, outside watering, etc. will pass through the floor first before
it goes to the fixtures. In the process, heat will be taken out of the
house for free.
Now isn't that better than paying money for air conditioning? In very humid
climates, you will still use a much smaller amount of air conditioning
to dehumidify the air for comfort.
When you live is a solar energy home, you live in luxurious comfort while you
are doing the right thing for the environment.
What kind of solar of solar energy system is right for me?
There are two kinds of solar collectors, 1) solar thermal collectors, that make
heat, usually in the form of a warm liquid, and 2) photovoltaic collectors,
that make electricity.
Unfortunately photovoltaic collectors are much more expensive than thermal collectors,
and they are considerably less efficient. It is almost never a good idea
to make electricity with photovoltaic collectors and then use the electricity
to make heat. You should have used a solar thermal collector in the first
place.
Solar photovoltaic electric systems will have an important place in our future
energy mix, but they are not a good way to make a lot of heat, and they
will not be in the foreseeable future. It is our opinion that electricity
is a premium energy source, and its use should be reserved for end uses
that require its unique qualities and properties, and where its expense
can be justified. Radiantec,
http://www.radiantec.com, is a solar thermal company. We
suggest that you consult with Solar
Works Company for your photovoltaic needs. Their website is
http://www.solar-works.com/
Most of the energy that a typical residential household consumes is used for
simple thermal tasks such as space heating, the production of domestic
hot water and cooling. A simple solar thermal system is most appropriate
for these needs.
There are several simple solar thermal systems described at
http://www.radiantsolar.com/options_index.php
DOES SOLAR REALLY WORK WHERE I LIVE?
HOW MUCH CAN SOLAR REALLY DO FOR ME?
Radiantec Company is located in Northern Vermont and we hear these questions quite
a bit. Northern Vermont can be bitterly cold and is subject to
prolonged cloudy spells, particularly in November and December and sometimes
during the springtime. Other parts of the continental US are also
subject to cloudy spells such as Buffalo NY and Seattle, WA.
But the answer is "Yes, it is possible to use solar energy in these areas."
It is just not as easy as it is in Colorado. A solar energy system
must be very efficient and well thought out to be practical in some areas,
but it can be done. That is a proven fact.
A solar performance calculation is not hard; basic arithmetic really.
We look at four things:
- The Solar Resource.
- The energy requirement to be met.
- The ability to store solar energy for use in cloudy periods.
- The efficiency of the system.
We will start with a narrative discussion
about what solar energy can do. For many people, that will be enough, and
you can always consult with Radiantec technicians.
Click here.
Then, for the people who are interested, we will present a simple, common sense
analysis method so that the individual with basic arithmetic skills
can figure these matters out for him or herself. Click here
Then, for those really interested, we will present carefully collected scientific
data from controlled studies for an in depth understanding of the phenomena.
(Please look in the INFO LIBRARY,
and consult the DOE Report, the Scientific Paper, and the magazine articles.
Click here.
How long does it take for solar to pay itself back?
A solar energy system is an investment like many others, and should yield
a good return immediately. Consider how much money the solar energy
system saves you on an average monthly or annual basis.Then compare this
with the "opportunity cost" of the money that the solar system costs. The
"opportunity cost" is either what the money costs to borrow, or the money
that you forfeited by taking the money out of another investment.
If you are not making money immediately, perhaps the solar system is not a
good investment and you should not build it. A solar heating system that
does not make good economic sense often does not make environmental sense
either.
Cost benefit analysis for a solar energy system in the Boston, MA area predicts
that the investment will yield about 12% per year. If the cost of conventional
energy such as fossil fuels goes up in the future, the value of the solar
investment goes up, too. You should keep in mind that the income from the
solar investment is tax-free. More information about cost benefit
is available in the US Department of Energy Report. (in the
INFO LIBRARY)
http://www.radiantsolar.com/pdf/DOEREPORT.pdf
What will solar collectors look like on my house?
Many people do not put the solar collectors on the house at all. Solar
collectors can be mounted upon the garage, or a woodshed, storage shed,
or pool cabana. You can use array of solar collectors as a fence and landscape
it nicely. If you do place the solar collectors on the house, there will
be a small efficiency benefit because of shorter pipe runs.
If you select an efficient solar energy system, fewer panels will be needed
to do the job, and they will be easier to locate.
Most solar collectors are black under the glass and have dark brown sidewalls.
They blend in well with dark roofing materials.
How long will a solar energy system last?
How reliable will it be?
What maintenance is needed?
The solar energy system should last the life of the building that it serves.
The exterior portion (the solar collectors) is made of tempered glass,
and extruded aluminum, like a quality commercial storefront window. The
copper pipe is protected by anti corrosion agents in the antifreeze and
should last over 50 years. Pumps have been lasting over 25 years because
of their high quality and the lubricating effect of the antifreeze. The
antifreeze solution should be checked every 10 years and replaced when
needed. It is likely to last for 25-years. The solar storage tanks
are like other domestic hot water heaters except that they are of high
quality and have ample anticorrosion rods. They should last over ten years.
Underfloor heating materials are made of high-grade plastics and will last
the life of the building. The controls are all solid state.
The use of an installation package is strongly recommended. An installation
package is economical, and you get all the right parts in a form that only
goes together the right way. You will save a lot on labor.
| 
