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How To Heat Your Home With The Sun

What Is Solar Heating

Solar heating is the use of the sun's energy to heat a a space. Solar heat can be a cost effective alternative method to heating your home in even the coldest climates.

Every year the US Government spends billions of dollars on energy assistance in the United States but very few of those dollars will go to renewable energy technology. Many of that money goes right out of the county as payments for foreign oil. If we modified our priorities and spent more money developing inexpensive solar we could make our planet cleaner and better help low income families.

Here are some examples.

In New Hampshire, the average LIHEAP benefit per household is $500 which will buy 8% of that households heating fuel for that year.

Don't let high oil prices this winter scare you! You can heat your house for next to nothing.

Most people know that expensive solar photovoltaic cells turn sunlight into electricity but the real secret is that you can use the sun to heat your home for next to nothing.

Residential Solar Thermal Heaters Are Affordable & Effective

A solar thermal heater is one of the most cost effective ways to heat your home with a payback period of months rather than years. You can even use a solar thermal heater in a gray climate like Washington State.

Here is a video showing a solar thermal install.

Two Ways To Mount It, Same Goal

Wall Mounted Solar Thermal Heaters

A wall mounted solar thermal heater is similar to a solar oven in that it uses the energy of the sun as heat. Wall mounted solar heaters are usually mounted on a south facing wall with an intake and an outtake connecting the device to the interior of the home. Interior air is circulated through the device during daylight hours to heat the home. A large wall mounted device may heat up to 1,000 square feet. Some heaters only require 15 minutes of sun time an hour to provide heat.

Window Mounted Thermal Device

A window mounted device works in the same way as a wall mounted solar thermal heater but doesn't require you to cut holes in an exterior wall. Instead the solar heater is mounted in a window and does not require holes to made in exterior walls. Window mounted devices are less expensive to install but produce less heat.

Commercial Examples & Videos

Here are some commercially available solar air heaters.

The Cansolair Solar Heater

The cansolair solar thermal heater is probably one of the most famous examples of a solar thermal device. It is made in Newfoundland out of recycled cans.

How To Build A Solar Furnace

Some Solar Heaters For Sale

Forced Air Solar Space Heater, Free Heat Heating Panel US $219.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 19:05:55 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Solar Window Heater for Solar Air Heating US $449.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 19:17:18 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Forced Air Solar Space Heater, Free Heat Heating Panel US $219.00 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: End Date: Monday Nov-24-2008 19:11:44 PST Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list