| How does solar heating work? | | | | store heat, much like the way a battery stores |
| Solar heating systems work by using a solar collector. | | | | electricity from solar panels. |
| A solar collector is filled with a conductive fluid or oil | | | | Are there disadvantages to using solar heating? |
| that gets heated by the sunlight. The solar collector | | | | The main detractor of purchasing a solar heat system |
| can heat water directly or use a "working" fluid to | | | | is the initial cost. Solar heater systems, even though |
| transfer that heat to water. In active solar heating | | | | they have dropped in price substantially still prove |
| systems, there is a pumping mechanism that moves | | | | expensive to many people. The good news is if you |
| the heat through a building. In passive heating systems | | | | think of solar heating as an investment in your |
| however, the heated water moves by natural | | | | household, the system pays for itself over its lifetime |
| convection currents in the water. In most cases, in | | | | of 15 to 30 years. It can also add to the resale value |
| buildings the solar heat systems work in tandem with | | | | of your property. |
| electric heating or conventional gas heating systems. | | | | If you use solar panels with your electric heating |
| The conventional systems operate to make sure that | | | | system, you will gain even more cost saving benefits. |
| there is adequate heating happening in times when | | | | Again, there is an initial cost for solar panels, but if you |
| there is little sunlight to heat the solar collectors or in | | | | are thinking long term this is a very good investment. |
| times when there is no solar thermal storage unit. Solar | | | | You will be saving on monthly electricity costs as well |
| thermal storage units are a very effective way to | | | | as helping the environment. Its really a win win situation. |