Solar heating is not a new idea; in fact, harnessing the sun’s energy has been around hundreds of years. However, it is only recently that technology has simplified capturing and using this energy for solar heating and power.

Homeowners can now find roof tiles, water heaters and other appliances that are solar energy powered. These all work together to make the home more cost efficient in terms of energy consumption and at the save time help save natural resources.

Options

Solar heating of the home can be accomplished uses solar panels or tiles placed on the roof. Nearly all homes can make use of this process; however, in homes where the majority of the roof is towards the south, more solar power is absorbed. This is due to southern exposure having more sunlight during all seasons for the longest periods of time.

There are also solar heating devices that can be used to heat the water for the home.

Solar heating of the home through solar energy absorbed by the roof can be done using various roof top solar tiles or panels. These absorb solar energy during daylight hours and transform it into power for the home. If there is excess power created, the homeowner may be able to sell it to the local power company; conversely, if there is not enough solar energy absorbed, the homeowner may need to pull from the power company.

Heating Water for the Home

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are two different types of devices: passive and active. The passive devices do not have circulating pumps and controls to move the water around and heat it from the sun. The active solar heating systems for water have these devices and are a more successful heating application in most cases. Solar water heating devices should be insulated to prevent heat loss.

Solar heating applications for water heaters come in one of two tank types. One contains a backup system within the solar storage. The second type moves the heated water into a storage area to save energy while keeping the water heated.

Other Home Uses for Solar Power

Of course, a solar powered system can be used for much more than just heating your home. You can have small single solar panel, right through to solar panels that cover the entire roof of your home.

So what can these different sized panels be used for?

A small solar panel could be used to power lights in your garden, power your garden shed, or be used to power individual electrical devices in or around your home.

A full roof of solar panels can be used to power just about anything in your home, plus you have the possibly to either store any surplus power into large batteries, or even sell the power back to your power company.

DIY Solar Heating

You can actually build a homemade power system that can heat your home and/or water for very little cost. In fact a DIY solar powered system can be build for under $200.